title: Possible adverse reactions to herbal products: a study with individuals who resort to popular medicine in the city of Diadema, SP, Brazil.
abstract: The present study aimed to investigate the occurrence of adverse reactions (ADRs) related to herbal products (HPs), which are purchased over-the-counter for self-treatment, reported by 100 users. Samples of the HPs related to those ADRs were purchased for their pharmacobotanical identification. The ADRs reported were evaluated based on specialized literature and were analyzed according to causality into probable (PR), possible (PO), unrelated (UR) or unclassifiable (UC); according to expectance into unexpected adverse reaction (UNEX) and expected adverse reaction (EX); seriousness into serious adverse event or reaction (S) and non-serious (NS); and severity into mild (MI), moderate (MO) and severe (SE). Among 100 interviews, five complaints of ADRs were reported in relation to HPs: Senna alexandrina, with a report of cramps (PR; MI; EX; NS); Camellia sinensis, associated with tachycardia (PO; MI; EX; NS); Bauhinia sp., a strong allergic reaction that led to hospitalization (UC; MO; UNEX; S); Picrasma crenata, with several symptoms and hospitalization (UR; MO; UNEX; S); and 21-herb tea, related to an allergic reaction (UC; MI; EX; NS). The strategies used in this study allowed us to carry out an analysis of ADRs attributed to HPs. This analysis could serve as a model in the study of similar cases.
authors: Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Department of Preventive Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Julino A R
authors: JA
authors: Soares Neto
authors: José Carlos F
authors: JC
authors: Galduróz
authors: Luis Carlos
authors: LC
authors: Marques
authors: Edna Tomiko
authors: ET
authors: Kato
authors: Thiago
authors: T
authors: Macrini
authors: Eliana
authors: E
authors: Rodrigues
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / Q000145:classification*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010598:Pharmacognosy; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D028321:Plant Preparations
keywords: adverse drug reaction; folk medicine; herbal drugs; herbal products; herbal teas; pharmacovigilance