Healthy Skepticism Library item: 10471

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: Journal Article

George Wong HC
Potential reactions to patent medicines containing prescription drugs
Allergy and Clinical Immunology International 2003; 15:(3):114-118

Abstract:

Background: Complementary and alternative medicine is popular among patients. Many do not disclose the information to their physicians without being asked. Patent medicines sold in health food stores and Chinese herbal shops are not well regulated. Methods/Data base: Inquiry into the use of complementary and alternative medicines was carried out on each patient as part of allergy history taking. Patients were advised to bring with them all medications in their original containers, including those prescribed by their physicians as well as complementary and alternative medicines/dietary supplements purchased on their own from pharmacies, health food stores, Chinese herbal shops and others. The instruction covered all medicines, for both allergy and nonallergy disorders. Each preparation was examined carefully for contents. Results: Three patients were found to self-medicate with complementary and alternative medicines containing prescription drugs without informing their family physicians and other specialists. The patent medicines were purchased in local Chinese herbal shops as treatments for asthma, diabetes mellitus, and arthritis. The prescription drugs were aminophylline, glibenclamide and indomethacin, labelled clearly on the packages/inserts. Conclusions: There is potential for adverse and allergic reactions from the use of patent medicines containing prescription drugs, especially if they are used without the knowledge of physicians. It is important to inquire into the use of complementary and alternative medicines as part of history taking. There should be a higher standard of regulation on patent medicines in Canada and elsewhere.