Herbal and alternative medicine.
An extensive range of herbal and dietary supplements is now available, and use of these products by ED patients is fairly common. Emergency physicians should be familiar with some of the products used more frequently for common complaints. Emergency personnel also should be vigilant for toxic syndromes resulting from ingestion of certain of these products and be wary of possible toxicity from any of these supplements owing to their minimal quality control and absence of FDA regulation.
Nelson
L
L
Medical Toxicology Fellowship, New York City Poison Control Center, USA. nycpcc@hotmail.com
Perrone
J
J
D000975:Antioxidants / Q000506:poisoning; D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists / Q000506:poisoning; D000529:Complementary Therapies; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000506:poisoning; D004340:Drug Contamination; D004630:Emergencies; D004809:Ephedrine / Q000506:poisoning; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects; D008517:Phytotherapy; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects; D013566:Sympathomimetics / Q000506:poisoning; D013577:Syndrome; D015431:Weight Loss
D000975:Antioxidants; D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; D013566:Sympathomimetics; D004809:Ephedrine