Herb-Drug Interaction Studies - A Need of an Hour

Now a day, the probability of drug interactions, direct toxicities and adverse effect with active pharmaceutical agents are amongst the safety concerns about Natural, Ayurvedic, and Herbal supplements. Even though there is a widespread community of opinion is exist that herbs and natural supplements are safe even in any sort of dosage and or long period of use. Although herbal supplements may be from natural sources, the active ingredients may still be potent chemicals. Because of this, herbal supplements can have drug interactions, even with each other or with food. Unluckily, these products are not categorized by safety warnings and it is challenging for a consumer to know if an interaction may occur or not. However, research has revealed that these products carry the same risks as other pharmacologically active compounds involved in. Interactions may arise between pharmaceutical drugs, OTC molecules, Natural supplements and even molecules in a very little amount in Nutraceuticals is creating a frightening challenge to identify all interactions that are of serious clinical concerns. Herb-drug interactions can obstruct with how the drug may be metabolized in the body, enhance side effects of medications or reduce the proposed therapeutic effect of a drug.

Indeed, Apprehensions about herb-drug interactions are often not based on rigorous research and authenticated findings. Maximum herb-drug interactions are recognized in existing sources are hypothetical, incidental from animal studies, in-vitro assays or based on another indirect way. Actually Many Regulatory authorities worldwide have emphasized herb-drug interactions as a significant safety issue. As some examples are stated like garlic when it is taken with antiplatelet molecules it increases the threat of bleeding and may be lethal to the patient. Immunostimulant effect of Glycyrrhiza herb may equalizer immunosuppressant effects of the drug taken with it and may decrease immunosuppressant levels. This matter has to be rectified by meticulous attention and studies like clinical examinations and trials. Natural medicines may be utilized by patients concomitantly receiving pharmaceutical drugs, which can result in possibly serious adverse events. It is mandatory for healthcare specialists to be well educated about the increasing clinical evidence of herb-drug interactions.

Till date, clinical studies evaluating herb-drug interactions are unconvincing and inconclusive. Hence the said issue regarding the herb-drug interactions has been raised and well-designed, well planned, authenticated and conclusive clinical studies should be practiced.