HERB-DRUG INTERACTION: AN OVERVIEW

Plants have always provided an important source of medicines. They may be used by natives in folk medicine and later adopted by conventional western medicine as their efficacy was confirmed. Any pharmacological modification caused by herbal substances to another prescription medication (diagnostic, therapeutic or other action of a drug) in or on the body. An herb might increases or decreases the effects of co-administered drugs. Consequences can be beneficial, undesirable or harmful effects. Interactions between herbs and drugs may increase or decrease the pharmacological or toxicological effects of either component. Synergistic therapeutic effects may complicate the dosing of long-term medications eg: Herbs traditionally used to decrease glucose concentrations in diabetes-I could theoretically precipitate hypoglycemia if taken in combination with conventional drugs. Herbal medicines are ubiquitous: the dearth of reports of adverse events and interactions probably reflects a combination of underreporting and the benign nature of most herbs used. This article provides brief idea about pharmacist can change the present scenario and utilize their knowledge in providing health information about herb-drug interaction.