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Alternative medicine use may put 1.3 million older people at risk, study suggests

Researchers call on GPs to ask patients about herbal and supplement usage in order to identify potential side effects: FRED TANNEAU/AFP/Getty Images
Researchers call on GPs to ask patients about herbal and supplement usage in order to identify potential side effects: FRED TANNEAU/AFP/Getty Images

Some 1.3 million older people in Britain may be putting themselves at risk by taking alternative medicines with potential to interact with their prescribed drugs, a study has suggested.

A poll of 155 people over the age of 65 who were taking at least one prescription drug found one in three (33.6 per cent) were also taking herbal medicinal products or dietary supplements.

Researchers from the University of Hertfordshire found 16 participants were at risk of potentially adverse drug interactions.

Potential adverse side effects of interactions can include reducing the effectiveness of the prescription medication, risk of bleeding and increased blood glucose concentrations.

“One-third of older adults in this study’s sample were using an herbal medicinal product or supplement concurrently with prescription drugs,” the authors of the study, published in the British Journal of General Practice, wrote.

“About one in three concurrent users was at risk of a potential herb-drug or supplement-drug interaction.

“If applied to the UK population that would mean 1.3 million older adults in the UK are at risk of at least one potential herb-drug or supplement-drug interaction.”

They called on GPs to ask their patients about herbal and supplement usage in order to identify potential side effects.

They said: “GPs should routinely ask questions regarding herbal and supplement use, to identify and manage older adults at potential risk of adverse drug interactions.”

Patients using alternative therapies took between one and eight additional products, with women more likely to take them than men.

The most commonly used dietary supplements were cod liver oil, glucosamine, multivitamins, and vitamin D.

While common herbal medicinal products were evening primrose oil, valerian, and a branded herbal product that includes hops, gentian, and passion flower.

The chair of the Royal College of GPs, Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, said: “Our ageing population means that more people are living longer, often with more than one long-term condition, and as a result they are often, quite appropriately, taking multiple prescribed medications in order to treat and manage these conditions.

“What’s important is that the patient’s GP is aware of all the different medicines and supplements a patient is taking, so that we can keep an eye on the way they interact with each other.

“Patients may not think to mention to their GP what herbal medications or dietary supplements they may be taking, but this research is a useful reminder that patients should disclose all of the medication they are using, including any natural or herbal drugs, so that the GP can weigh up all of the benefits and risks and advise of any potential adverse interactions.

“GPs do have concerns about the over-medicalisation of patients and that’s why we are working with them to ensure they are only taking the medication they really need and that have evidence of benefit, so that they can live the best possible quality of life and not spend money on supplements that won’t help and may in fact cause harm.

“Another way GPs are encouraging patients to be healthy is by recommending activities such as community or volunteer groups, or exercise classes, so that patients are doing their very best to reduce reliance on medication for conditions which are lifestyle-related.”

Additional reporting by PA