title: Evidence-based drug--herbal interactions.
abstract: Due to the growing use of herbals and other dietary supplements healthcare providers and consumers need to know whether problems might arise from using these preparations in combination with conventional drugs. However, the evidence of interactions between natural products and drugs is based on known or suspected pharmacologic activity, data derived from in vitro or animal studies, or isolated case reports that frequently lack pertinent information. The usefulness of such information is questionable. More recently an increasing number of documented case reports, in vivo studies, and clinical trials have evaluated herbal-drug interactions. Results have sometimes been contradictory and more research is needed. Since there is a lack of rigorous studies that can establish the clinical significance of herb-drug interactions, an evidence-based evaluation of the current literature concerning commonly used herbal-drug interactions, as well as other dietary supplements, was conducted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy Glendale, Midwestern University, Glendale, Arizona 85308, USA. mchave@mudwestern
authors.forename: Mary L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Chavez
authors.forename: Melanie A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Jordan
authors.forename: Pedro I
authors.initials: PI
authors.lastname: Chavez
mesh_terms: D004347:Drug Interactions; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000378:metabolism; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D028321:Plant Preparations