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Case Reports
. 2001 Nov;52(5):587-95.
doi: 10.1046/j.0306-5251.2001.01469.x.

Herb-drug interactions: review and assessment of report reliability

A Fugh-Berman  1 , E Ernst
Affiliations
Case Reports

Herb-drug interactions: review and assessment of report reliability

A Fugh-Berman et al. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2001 Nov.

Erratum in

  • Br J Clin Pharmacol 2002 Apr;53(4):449P

Abstract

Aims: The aim of this systematic review was to assess the published clinical evidence on interactions between herbal and conventional drugs.

Methods: Four electronic databases were searched for case reports, case series or clinical trials of such interactions. The data were extracted and validated using a scoring system for interaction probability.

Results: One hundred and eight cases of suspected interactions were found. 68.5% were classified as 'unable to be evaluated', 13% as 'well-documented' and 18.5% as 'possible' interactions. Warfarin was the most common drug (18 cases) and St John's wort the most common herb (54 cases) involved.

Conclusion: Herb-drug interactions undoubtedly do occur and may put individuals at risk. However our present knowledge is incomplete and more research is urgently needed.

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