Herbal Supplements May Be Dangerous When You Take Certain Prescription Drugs

A number of common herbal supplements, including green tea and Ginkgo biloba, can interact with prescription medications, according to a new research review published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. These interactions can make drugs less effective—and may even be dangerous or deadly. Doctors know that herbs can affect medication regimens, wrote the researchers, from the South African Medical Research Council, in their new paper. But because people often don’t disclose to their healthcare providers what over-the-counter drugs and supplements they’re taking, it’s difficult for scientists to keep track of which drug and supplement combinations should be avoided. The new review analyzed 49 case reports of adverse drug reactions, along with two observational studies. Most people in the analysis were being treated for heart disease, cancer or kidney transplants, and were taking warfarin, statins, chemotherapy drugs or immunosuppressants. Some also had depression, anxiety or neurological disorders, and were being treated with antidepressant, antipsychotic or anticonvulsant medications. Among the case reports, researchers determined that herb-drug interactions were “probable” for 51% of the reports, and “highly probable” for about 8%. About 37% were classified as possible herb-drug interactions, while only 4% were considered doubtful. In one case report, a patient who took statins complained of intense leg cramps and ...
Source: TIME: Health - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Uncategorized are herbal supplements safe are supplements safe drug interactions drug side effects green tea healthytime herbal drugs medicine onetime supplement safety warfarin Source Type: news