Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 11, 2026

Use of Animal Model of Sepsis to Evaluate Novel Herbal Therapies
Published on: April 11, 2012
Perioperative Risks of Dietary and Herbal Supplements
Ilana Levy1, Samuel Attias2,3, Eran Ben-Arye4,5
1Internal Medicine B Department, Bnai Zion Medical Center, Golomb 47, 3339419, Haifa, Israel. ilana.levy@b-zion.org.il.
Background:
Patients undergoing surgery often use Dietary and Herbal Supplements (DHS). We explored the risk of DHS-drug interactions in the perioperative setting.
Methods:
In this cross-sectional prospective study, participants hospitalized for surgery completed a questionnaire regarding DHS use. We used pharmacological databases to assess DHS-drug interactions. We then applied univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses to characterize patients at risk for DHS-drug interactions.
Results:
Of 526 interviewees, 230 (44%) patients reported DHS use, with 16.5% reporting using DHS that could potentially interact with anesthesia. Twenty-four (10%) patients used DHS that could potentially interact with antithrombotic drugs taken perioperatively. The medical files of three patients included reports of intraoperative bleeding. The patient files of only 11% of DHS users documented DHS use.
Conclusions:
DHS use poses a significant health risk due to potential interactions. Guidelines should emphasize perioperative management of DHS use.
Related Concept Videos
Drug toxicity: Drug–Drug Interaction
Peripheral Artery Disease V: Postoperative Nursing Management
Endoscopic Procedures IV: Sigmoidoscopy and Laproscopy
Sigmoidoscopy
Sigmoidoscopy is a diagnostic procedure that uses a flexible sigmoidoscope equipped with a light source and camera to examine the rectum and sigmoid colon. The procedure involves inserting the tube through the anus...
Aneurysm IV: Nursing Management
Cardiomyopathy VII: Pre and Post Operative Nursing Management
Pharmacokinetics: Drug–Food and Drug–Viral Interactions

