Which popular herb is used for its possible benefit on the immune system?

Essential

1. "Avoid taking other medications that can cause bleeding, such as NSAIDs like ibuprofen." Both aspirin and clopidogrel increase the risk of bleeding. NSAIDs like ibuprofen can further increase this risk, so it is crucial to avoid them unless advised otherwise by a healthcare provider.

2. "Continue to take your newly prescribed medications until your prescriber tells you not to do so." Discontinuing aspirin and clopidogrel without medical advice can increase the risk of stent thrombosis and other complications. It is essential to follow the prescribed regimen strictly.

3. “Report any unexpected bleeding to your primary health provider." Monitoring for signs of bleeding (such as bruising, blood in the stool or urine, or unusual bleeding) is important due to the increased bleeding risk associated with these medications. Prompt reporting can help manage and mitigate serious complications.

Unrelated

1. "Drink a glass of water after each dose of your new drug." While staying hydrated is generally good advice, it is not specifically relevant to the efficacy or safety of aspirin and clopidogrel.

2. "Follow up with the prescribed laboratory testing needed to monitor your clotting values." Routine clotting tests (such as INR, PT, or aPTT) are not typically required for monitoring the effects of aspirin and clopidogrel, as these medications do not usually require lab monitoring like warfarin does.

3. "Eat foods high in Vitamin K and calcium to help prevent clotting." This advice is unrelated because Vitamin K can counteract the effects of anticoagulants like warfarin but does not affect the action of antiplatelet drugs like aspirin and clopidogrel. Calcium intake is also unrelated to the management of these medications.

A. Fish oil: While fish oil has some evidence for reducing inflammation, the evidence for its effectiveness in treating arthritis is mixed.

B. DHEA: DHEA is a hormone and there is not enough evidence to support its use for arthritis.

C. Garlic and soy: While garlic and soy have some general health benefits, there is no strong evidence they are effective for treating arthritis.

D. Chondroitin and glucosamine: These supplements are the most studied option for arthritis and some studies have shown they may provide modest pain relief, although the evidence is not conclusive.