Combination of Arthritis medications and herbal remedies lethal
by admin ~ March 10th, 2010.
A combination of arthritis medications and herbal remedies can prove fatal, as per survey reported in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.
This survey disclosed that not only the affected patients but the healthcare professionals looking after them are also ill informed about the severe complication.
From News-Medical.Net:
The participants were also asked whether they knew of any possible side effects of the remedies they were taking, interactions with their conventional treatment, and whether they had sought the advice of a healthcare professional before taking the remedy.
Almost half (44%) of patients had used a herbal or over the counter remedy within the preceding six months. Around a third had taken cod liver oil, and one in five had taken glucosamine and/or chondroitin. Around one in 10 had used evening primrose oil.
One in 10 were taking remedies that could interact with conventional drugs. These included echinacea, which boosts the risk of liver toxicity when taken with arthritis drugs, and ginkgo biloba, garlic, and devil’s claw, all of which increase the risk of bleeding disorders when taken with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or steroids.
Twenty four of the 26 patients who had put themselves at risk were unaware that they had done so, and 10 of them had sought advice from a healthcare professional before opting for complementary treatment.
“Doctors may not recognise the potential adverse effects associated with herbal remedies, and patients may be reluctant to report either the use of herbal remedies or adverse effects,” say the authors.
It was noted by the authors that patients as well as the practitioners need to gain more of information education in relation to the involved risks and potential interactions.
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