Herbal Remedies Put Arthritis Patients at Risk of Harmful Interactions

April 15, 2005

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NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Apr 13 - Patients with arthritis are more

likely than the general population to be using herbal remedies, which

increases the risk of serious interactions with prescribed medications,

results of a British study suggest.

Echinacea, gingko biloba, devil's claw, ginger and garlic are the most

dangerous, Dr. Holden told Reuters Health. Echinacea poses a risk

of hepatotoxicity when used with disease modifying antirheumatic drugs.

The others could aggravate gastrointestinal bleeding risks when taken

along with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or steroids.

To examine the extent of the problem, Dr. Holden, at Nuffield

Orthopaedic Centre in Oxford, and colleagues sent anonymous

questionnaires to 238 rheumatology outpatients.

A total of 105 subjects (44%) had used herbal or over-the-counter

remedies in the previous 6 months, the authors report in the May issue

of the ls of the Rheumatic Diseases.

" This is much higher than the general population, " Dr. Holden told

Reuters Health. " These patients have a condition that will last for

life, and they're keen to seek alternatives rather than conventional

medications sometimes. "

Twenty-six subjects (11%) were taking remedies that put them at risk

for serious interactions with conventional drugs. Their responses

showed that 24 were unaware of the risk, although 10 of them had sought

advice from a health professional before starting.

" Physicians have to be super cautious to make sure they ask what

medications the patients are taking, " Dr. Holden advised. " And patients

should be asking their doctors if they're already on herbal remedies if

they're safe to take with arthritis drugs. "

Ann Rheum Dis 2005;64:790.

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