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.

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.

scholarly journals Surely you take complementary and alternative medicines?

2004 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 36-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Traolach Brugha ◽  
Hagen Rampes ◽  
Rachel Jenkins
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Drug Interactions ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicines ◽  
Substantial Growth ◽  
Alternative Medicines ◽  
Clinical Presentations ◽  
The Usa ◽  
The Subject ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

A substantial proportion of our patients use or consider using complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) and other coping strategies. It is important that we acknowledge this, know something about the subject and are aware of current or potential developments in the field. These remedies might be harmless, beneficial or harmful and their side-effects might alter and confuse clinical presentations. We need to be vigilant of the potential for significant drug interactions between complementary and orthodox treatments. There is a substantial growth in complementary and alternative medical research in the USA, now beginning to follow in the UK. This will hopefully bring useful future progress.

Use of complementary medicines by patients treated with chemotherapy: Survey in a French day care unit.

2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e19555-e19555
Author(s):  
Pauline Fort ◽  
Blandine Marsault ◽  
Antoine Hertzog ◽  
Emilie Dubost ◽  
Jean-Marc Tourani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Herbal Medicine ◽  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Day Care ◽  
Word Of Mouth ◽  
Food Supplements ◽  
Antitumor Action ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicines ◽  
Complementary Medicines ◽  
Alternative Medicines ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

e19555 Background: Nowadays, communication about alternative medicines and biologic therapies is very intense. Anyone can find information, more or less scientific, on internet, television or magazines. Therefore, patients treated with chemotherapy may use many complementary medicines. The purpose of our study is to do a summary of the use of those alternative therapies by our patients in order to evaluate the potential risk of interference with their antitumor treatment. Methods: We carried out a prospective study among patients in the day care unit. During an interview, they were asking for any biological treatment or non-drug alternative medicine used concurrently with the chemotherapy. We found out: antitumor agent, complementary and alternative medicine used, aim of this use (prevention, antitumor action, wellbeing), means of access, person who advised them. Results: 100 patients were interviewed (average = 63 years old, half-and-half men and women). 38% used complementary and alternative medicines: 45% of whom used homeopathy, 39% food supplements, 37% herbal medicine, 29% non-drug alternative medicine (acupuncture, magnetic healer, meditation…). 29% of them associate more than 3 medicines. 61% of patients using herbal medicine, heard about it by word of mouth (friends and family); and 75% buy it by internet or by phone. Most of them are looking for wellbeing. 31% of patients using food supplements, looking for well being too, learnt it by word of mouth; 48% buy it in pharmacy, 40% on internet or by phone. 90% of patients using homeopathy were advised by their pharmacist or attending physician, mostly to prevent chemotherapy side effects. 95% buy it in pharmacy. Conclusions: A lot of patients are concerned by complementary and alternative medicines; and in too many case, they are advised by non-medical people. This survey shows the importance for oncologist to know exactly what kind of treatment their patients are using. Indeed, at least 16 of those patients associate medicines which reduce the antitumor agent’s activity. The survey will continue in other oncologic units.

Integration and awareness of complementary and alternative medicines with psychotherapy

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kendal Cassidy ◽  
Anastasia Bacca ◽  
Phillip Birk ◽  
Kristie A. Morales ◽  
Travis Heath
Keyword(s):  
Complementary And Alternative Medicines ◽  
Alternative Medicines ◽  
Complementary And Alternative
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