Adverse reactions to complementary medicines: the Australian pharmacy experience.
OBJECTIVE
The primary aim was to determine the prevalence of adverse reactions to over-the-counter complementary medicines and their severity, as described by consumers. Secondary aims were to identify consumers' reporting behaviours and understanding of the AUST L designation on product labels.


METHODS
An anonymous, self-administered survey was completed by randomly selected pharmacy customers at 60 community pharmacy locations between August 2008 and February 2009.


RESULTS
Of the 1121 survey participants (response rate 62%), 72% had used a complementary medicine product in the previous 12 months, and 7% of this group (n = 55) reported having experienced an adverse reaction at some time. Of these, 71% described the reaction as mild and not requiring treatment, 22% as moderate and/or requiring advice from a healthcare professional and 7% (n = 4) described it as severe and requiring hospitalisation. If they were to report the reaction, it was most commonly to a medical practitioner. Most (88%) of complementary medicine consumers had never noticed the term 'AUST L'.


CONCLUSIONS
Complementary medicines are widely used by pharmacy customers. Adverse reactions to these products are under-reported to healthcare authorities. Most adverse reactions are mild and serious reactions are rare. Customers have little awareness of the designation AUST L.
Braun
Lesley A
LA
Cardiothoracic Surgical Research Unit, Department of Surgery, Monash University Alfred Hospital, Melbourne. l.braun@alfred.org.au
Tiralongo
Evilin
E
Wilkinson
Jenny M
JM
Poole
Susan
S
Spitzer
Ondine
O
Bailey
Michael
M
Dooley
Michael
M
D016907:Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems; D001315:Australia; D003157:Community Pharmacy Services; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004348:Drug Labeling; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires