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In Brief Although there are many effective diabetes medications, patients with diabetes may decide to use complementary therapies or nutrition supplements in addition to their conventional medications. The two case [...]

The use of herbal medications has been steadily increasing. From 1990 to 1997, use of self-prescribed herbal medications increased from 2.5% to 12%, and people consulting herbal medicine practitioners increased [...]

Geriatric patients typically present with one chronic disease per decade over age 50. Each chronic disease typically requires long-term drug therapy, meaning most older patients require several drugs to control their conditions and/or maintain their health. Simultaneously, the use of complementary and alternative medications (CAM) has increased in the United States over the last 20 years, reaching 36% in 2002; herbal medicine use accounts for approximately 22% of all CAM use. Older adults often add herbal medicines to the medications prescribed by their physicians, yet do not always inform their physicians. The drug metabolizing enzyme systems process all compounds foreign to the body, including prescription drugs and herbal medications. Therefore, use of both medicinals simultaneously has a potential for interactions of an adverse nature. This review, which will discuss ginkgo biloba, is the first of a continuing series covering the documented interactions between herbal medicines with proven efficacy and prescription drugs. Bressler R. Herb-drug interactions: Interactions between Ginkgo biloba and prescription medications. Geriatrics 2005; 60(April):30-33. Key words: herbal interactions * ginkgo biloba * complementary and alternative medicines, The use of herbal medications has been steadily increasing. From 1990 to 1997, use of self-prescribed herbal medications increased from 2.5% to 12%, and the percentage of people consulting herbal [...]

Herbs are natural, but some can cause serious reactions when taken with pharmaceuticals. You don't need to give up your favorite herbal remedy, but you should let your doctor know […]

The Consumers Association (CA) is warning that doctors and pharmacists are not reporting interactions between herbal products and conventional drugs properly. In its August issue of Health Which? the CA [...]

Over the last five to ten years, a few rare case reports and a short list of published research have brought to light the possibility that St. John's wort may [...]

The Cardiologist Diet The Manhattan-based author of Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum's Heart Book (Avery) reveals how she gets her healthy omega-3 fix: 'I have fish two to three times a week. [...]

There's a very good chance that St. John's wort supplements will interfere with your patient's prescription medication. At least that's the implication from this recent JAMA study, which found that [...]

BOSTON -- A medical student who was taking an over-the-counter cold remedy containing pseudoephedrine hydrochloride supplemented this with a "natural" remedy from an herbal store that she did not know [...]