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Herbal interactions with cardiovascular drugs.
Dennis V C Awang1, Adriane Fugh-Berman
1MediPlant Consulting Inc., White Rock, British Columbia, Canada.
The Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing
|February 25, 2003
Summary
While often overstated, herb-drug interactions are real. Certain herbs like St. John's wort can significantly alter how medications work, especially for vulnerable patients.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Herbal Medicine
- Drug Interactions
Background:
- Herb-drug interactions are a growing concern in clinical practice.
- The clinical significance of many reported herb-drug interactions remains debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the actual prevalence and clinical significance of herb-drug interactions.
- To identify specific herbs with a notable impact on drug efficacy and safety.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and analysis of reported cases of herb-drug interactions.
- Focus on commonly used herbs with potential pharmacological activity.
Main Results:
- The overall prevalence of clinically significant herb-drug interactions appears exaggerated.
- Specific herbs such as garlic, ginkgo, ginseng, and St. John's wort demonstrate potential for significant drug interactions.
- Herbal medicines can modulate drug action by mimicking, inhibiting, or inducing effects.
Conclusions:
- While not universally problematic, certain herbs necessitate caution due to their interaction potential.
- Particular attention is required for drugs with narrow therapeutic indices and in elderly or immunocompromised patients.