Herbal supplements: Facts and myths--talking to your patients about herbal supplements.
The use of herbal supplements in the United States is steadily growing and raises concerns about safety, efficacy, and how they affect safe patient care. The direct health risks associated with herbal supplements include hypertension, prolonged bleeding, and the potential for drug-herb interactions. These potential drug interactions are of particular concern for patients undergoing anesthesia. This article provides a review of literature on the 10 most popular herbal supplements and addresses the herbal supplements' reported use, possible adverse effect(s), patient teaching, possible drug interaction(s), and recommendations regarding discontinuation before surgery.
Messina
Barbara Ann M
BA
School of Nursing, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY 11794-8240, USA. Barbara.messina@stonybrook.edu
D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D020900:Echinacea / Q000009:adverse effects; D005737:Garlic / Q000009:adverse effects; D020441:Ginkgo biloba / Q000009:adverse effects; D041743:Herb-Drug Interactions; D006801:Humans; D020902:Hypericum / Q000009:adverse effects; D007529:Isoflavones / Q000009:adverse effects; D008487:Medical History Taking; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D005894:Panax / Q000009:adverse effects; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration*; D019990:Perioperative Care / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000009:adverse effects; D016528:Postanesthesia Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration; D012307:Risk Factors; D028024:Serenoa; D013024:Soybean Oil / Q000009:adverse effects; D014481:United States
D000726:Androgen Antagonists; D007529:Isoflavones; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013024:Soybean Oil; C040972:saw palmetto extract