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Millions of health-conscious consumers take herbal remedies. But a new study finds many patients may not be aware that certain herbal and over-the-counter drugs just don’t mix with prescription drugs.
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University of Florida nurse researchers say few consider the consequences of taking over-the-counter drugs or herbal preparations with medicines prescribed by their healthcare provider.
But it’s an all-too-common practice, one they warn could be a prescription for disaster.
The researchers surveyed nearly sixty women over age sixty-five who reported regularly taking at least one herbal and one prescribed or over-the-counter drug. They then entered those drug combinations into a computer program that searches for drug interactions. The results showed that three out of four of the women studied were taking a combination that could cause at least one moderate or high-risk drug interaction. At the least, drug interactions can alter a medicine’s effectiveness. At worst, they can increase its toxicity…causing serious side effects like gastrointestinal, or G-I, bleeding.
Dr. Susan Schaffer / UF Researcher
“More than half of the total interactions- both high risk and moderate interactions- involved nsaids…non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These are drugs commonly taken for arthritis or for pain. And these, particularly in older people have the potential for increased GI bleeding.”
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The second most common interaction risk? The calcium supplements women take for bone health. Calcium can interfere with the absorption of other drugs, causing them to lose their punch. Experts urge patients to use one of the drug interaction checkers available online and, most importantly, to tell their health-care provider about everything they’re taking…including over-the-counter medicines and common herbs.
Dr. Susan Schaffer / UF Researcher
“The take-home message is that your provider needs to know about all the drugs that you’re taking--- including prescription, over-the-counter and herbals.”
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At the University of Florida Health Science Center, I’m Mike Garrison
