A new University of Hertfordshire study found that using certain over-the-counter herbal medicines and dietary supplements alongside prescription drugs could pose serious health risks, especially amongst older adults. This is the first UK study among older adults in almost 15 years on the concurrent use of prescription drugs, herbal medicines and dietary supplements. Led by Ph.D.
Researcher at the University of Hertfordshire working in patient safety, the study reveals that the health consequences of these interactions include alterations in the concentration or effects of drugs such as blood pressure treatments, statins, and aspirin, and the most hazardous outcomes are related to increased blood glucose concentration, risk of bleeding, and reducing the effectiveness of a prescription drug. In this study, a third of the 149 participants (155 in total were asked but six were rejected as…
