scholarly journals Complementary and Alternative Medicines for the Treatment of Hepatitis C: Perspectives of Users and CAM Practitioners

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Salamat Ali ◽  
Shahan Ullah ◽  
Vibhu Paudyal ◽  
Mashhood Ali ◽  
Muhammad Khalid Tipu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Herbal Medicines ◽  
Disease Status ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicines ◽  
Alternative Medicines ◽  
Lycopodium Clavatum ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

Background. Despite substantial progress in the treatment of hepatitis C through the use of direct-acting antivirals which have been shown to cure the disease, complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) are popular among patients as a substitute or complement of allopathic medicines. This study aimed to explore the perspectives of patients and CAM practitioners on the use of CAM for the treatment of hepatitis C in Pakistan. Methods. A cross-sectional design was adopted. Participants (CAM practitioners and patients) were recruited from the capital and two provinces: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab of Pakistan. A survey using paper-based questionnaires, each specific for patients and CAM practitioners, was conducted to gather information pertaining to demography, disease status, treatment history, and participants’ perspectives (about the disease, reasons to switch to CAM, and referring source). Results. A total of 417 respondents (n = 284 patients, n = 133 practitioners) were recruited. Of the total patients, 170 (59.9%) had started CAM during the previous three months. There were 168 (59.2%) of the total patients who had used allopathic treatments for hepatitis C prior to their use of CAM. The confidence in CAM (24.6%), high cost (19%), and unbearable side effects (52.1%) of allopathic medicines were the main reasons to switch to CAM treatment. Majority (49.3%) of the patients were referred to CAM on the recommendations of relatives or care givers (17.3%) whereas only 9.5% were referred by health care professionals. Out of 133 practitioners, 48 (36.1%) were practicing herbal medicines. From practitioners’ perspectives, club-moss (Lycopodium clavatum) was the best treatment option for hepatitis C. The majority, 73 (54.9%), of the patients had chosen to use CAM because of the side effects of allopathic medicines. Patients who had previous “good experience” with CAM were the most common referral source (56.4%) for CAM use in hepatitis C. Conclusions. Patients’ beliefs in CAM, side effects of allopathic therapy, high cost of allopathic medicines, and referrals from previous CAM users are key factors in the switching of hepatitis C patients to CAM.

Use of complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) among Malaysian cancer patients for the management of chemotherapy related side effects (CRSE)

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharifah Nadia Syed Mohammad Salleh ◽  
Maryam Farooqui ◽  
Shubashini Gnanasan ◽  
Mahmathi Karuppannan
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Herbal Products ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicines ◽  
Alternative Medicines ◽  
Cam Use ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

Abstract Objectives Chemotherapy-related side effects (CRSE) are among the most distressing events cancer patients face. Some patients seek complementary and alternative medicines (CAM), increasing the risk of undesirable drug- CAM interactions. This study aims to identify the prevalence and type of CAM used for CRSE among cancer patients and patient’s disclosure of CAM use to their prescribers. Methods This was a questionnaire-based, cross-sectional study. Data was collected from cancer patients attending to three departments: surgical, medical and gynaecology at a local hospital in Malaysia. Ethical approval was obtained from the Medical Research Ethics Committee, Ministry of Health, Malaysia. Results A total of 273 patients were recruited. Prevalence of CAM used for CRSE management was 166 (60.8%). Of the CAM users, 144 (86.7%) were female, 102 (61.4%) were employed and 123 (74.1%) were married. Breast cancer patients were found to be the highest users of CAM (n=76; 45.8%). The top three CAM used by patients in managing CRSE were dietary supplements (n=166; 100%); herbal products (n=154; 92.8%) and traditional Malay therapy (n=147; 88.6%). About 83% (n=137) patients disclosed CAM use to their prescribers. Among these, 58 (42.3%) reported that their doctors encouraged the use, whereas 89 (65.0%) patients claimed their doctors disagreed the use of CAM. Conclusions Prescribers still have doubt in combining chemotherapy with CAM, hence patients use CAM discreetly. Increasing the awareness and understanding of CAM use are mandatory to distinguish its possible synergistic or adverse reactions with cancer patients.

scholarly journals Herbal Medicine for Pain Management: Efficacy and Drug Interactions

Pharmaceutics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 251
Author(s):  
Behdad Jahromi ◽  
Iulia Pirvulescu ◽  
Kenneth D. Candido ◽  
Nebojsa Nick Knezevic
Keyword(s):  
Pain Management ◽  
Herbal Medicine ◽  
Drug Interactions ◽  
Synergistic Effects ◽  
Herbal Medicines ◽  
Scientific Data ◽  
Global Market ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicines ◽  
Alternative Medicines ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

Complementary and alternative medicines such as herbal medicines are not currently part of the conventional medical system. As the popularity of and global market for herbal medicine grows among all age groups, with supporting scientific data and clinical trials, specific alternative treatments such as herbal medicine can be reclassified as a practice of conventional medicine. One of the most common conditions for which adults use herbal medicine is pain. However, herbal medicines carry safety concerns and may impact the efficacy of conventional therapies. Unfortunately, mechanisms of action are poorly understood, and their use is unregulated and often underreported to medical professionals. This review aims to compile common and available herbal medicines which can be used as an alternative to or in combination with conventional pain management approaches. Efficacy and safety are assessed through clinical studies on pain relief. Ensuing herb–drug interactions such as cytochrome modulation, additive and synergistic effects, and contraindications are discussed. While self-management has been recognized as part of the overall treatment strategy for patients suffering from chronic pain, it is important for practitioners to be able to also optimize and integrate herbal medicine and, if warranted, other complementary and alternative medicines into their care.

Complementary and alternative medicines in ankylosing spondylitis: a cross-sectional study

2008 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 213-217 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon M. Chatfield ◽  
Shyamali C. Dharmage ◽  
Anthony Boers ◽  
Belinda J. Martin ◽  
Russell R. C. Buchanan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ankylosing Spondylitis ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicines ◽  
Alternative Medicines ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

Complementary and alternative medicine usage and its determinant factors among Iranian infertile couples

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahlagha Dehghan ◽  
Sima Mokhtarabadi ◽  
Fatemeh Ghaedi Heidari
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
User Satisfaction ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicines ◽  
Alternative Medicines ◽  
The Status ◽  
Infertile Couples ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this study was to determine the status of utilizing some complementary and alternative medicine techniques in infertile couples.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study conducted on 250 infertile couples referred to a hospital in Kerman using convenience sampling. A researcher-made questionnaire was used to study the prevalence and user satisfaction of complementary and alternative medicines.ResultsResults indicated that 49.6% of the infertile couples used at least one of the complementary and alternative medicines during the past year. Most individuals used spiritual techniques (71.8% used praying and 70.2% used Nazr) and medicinal plants (54.8%). Safety is the most important factor affecting the satisfaction of infertile couples with complementary treatments (couples think that such treatments are safe (54.8%)).DiscussionConcerning high prevalence of complementary and alternative treatments in infertile couples, incorporating such treatments into the healthcare education and promoting the awareness of infertile individuals seem crucial.

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