Diagnosis 2024;110(3):5-13

Interactions between herbs and conventional drugs

Narantungalag D 1 ; Maralmaa T 1 ; Oigonchimeg B 1 ; Ser-Od B 1 ; Tsetsegsuren E 2 ; Gerelmaa B 3 ; Sarnai S 1

Affiliations

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Keywords

cytochrome P450; dietary supplements; drug interaction; herbal medicine; safety of herbal products

Country

Mongolia

Language

Mongolian

Abstract

This article provides an overview of the clinical evidence of interactions between herbal and conventional medicines. Herbs involved in drug interactions – or that have been evaluated in pharmacokinetic trials – are discussed in this review. While many of the interactions reported are of limited clinical significance and many herbal products (echinacea, valerian) seem to expose patients to minor risk under conventional pharmacotherapy, a few herbs, notably St. John’s wort, may provoke adverse events sufficiently serious about endangering the patient’s health. Healthcare professionals should remain vigilant for potential interactions between herbal medicines and prescribed drugs, especially when drugs with a narrow therapeutic index are used. Hypericum perforatum L. (St. John’s wort) extracts are widely used as a safe alternative to conventional antidepressant drugs for mild to moderate forms of depressive disorders. St. John’s wort represents the herbal product that is most involved in herb-to drug interactions. The aim of this article is to provide an overview of the clinical data regarding the E2 interactions between herbal remedies and prescribed drugs. For patients on prescription medications, the concomitant use of herbal medications can cause serious and adverse effects. It is the responsibility of health professionals to be well informed about the clinical evidence of herb-drug interactions.