Biopharmaceutics and Biologic Drugs

Herbal Drug Interactions

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The issue of herb-drug interactions looms large over the practice of herbal medicine. Up to now there have been very few incidents recorded of herb-drug interactions, but since the first such reports emerged a decade ago, a concern has been raised: that we know so little about herbs and their potential for interaction with drugs that these incidents could be just the "tip of the iceberg." Virtually all medical writers who review the literature acknowledge the small number of reports, but conclude that the issue of herb-drug interactions is a serious one that must be pursued. In a few instances, the interactions may have been responsible for severe consequences   Examples: Increase or decrease the effect of a blood thinner such as Warfarin and lead to either a bleeding episode or formation of a dangerous clot;

• Decrease the effect of a blood pressure medication, leading to high blood pressure and a stroke;
• Decrease the effect of an anti-infection agent, letting the infection get out of   control; or
• Increase the effect of an anti-diabetes drug and plunge blood sugar to   dangerously low level.