The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 274 No 7345 p444
16 April 2005

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Education on herbal remedies

Patients and prescribers need education on the risks and potential interactions of herbal remedies.

Researchers surveyed 238 rheumatology outpatients about their use of herbal and over-the-counter remedies. They found that 11 per cent were taking remedies that might interact with conventional drugs and 92 per cent of these patients were unaware of the risk. Advice from a health professional had been sought by 38 per cent before starting the remedy (Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 2005;64:790).