Complementary and alternative medicine: risks and special considerations in pretransplant and posttransplant patients

Although herbs and botanicals have been available for thousands of years, detailed scientific research regarding the potential health benefits and risks of dietary supplements has been conducted only for the past 15-20 years. Millions of Americans use herbal supplements regularly, but many are not aware of the possible hidden dangers. Organ transplant recipients and patients with end-stage organ failure awaiting transplantation are at particularly high risk for potential complications due to herbal supplement use. This review provides background information regarding complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use in the United States, regulatory history of dietary supplements in the United States, and concerns and special considerations regarding the risks associated with dietary/herbal supplement use in pretransplant and posttransplant patients.