Adverse reactions to complementary medicines: the Australian pharmacy experience

The International Journal of Pharmacy Practice
Lesley A BraunMichael Dooley

Abstract

The primary aim was to determine the prevalence of adverse reactions to over-the-counter complementary medicines and their severity, as described by consumers. Secondary aims were to identify consumers' reporting behaviours and understanding of the AUST L designation on product labels. An anonymous, self-administered survey was completed by randomly selected pharmacy customers at 60 community pharmacy locations between August 2008 and February 2009. Of the 1121 survey participants (response rate 62%), 72% had used a complementary medicine product in the previous 12 months, and 7% of this group (n = 55) reported having experienced an adverse reaction at some time. Of these, 71% described the reaction as mild and not requiring treatment, 22% as moderate and/or requiring advice from a healthcare professional and 7% (n = 4) described it as severe and requiring hospitalisation. If they were to report the reaction, it was most commonly to a medical practitioner. Most (88%) of complementary medicine consumers had never noticed the term 'AUST L'. Complementary medicines are widely used by pharmacy customers. Adverse reactions to these products are under-reported to healthcare authorities. Most adverse reactions are mild and serious rea...Continue Reading

References

Aug 30, 2002·Preventive Medicine·Alastair H MacLennanAnne W Taylor
Dec 31, 2002·Toxicology·David R Briggs
May 8, 2004·Complementary Therapies in Medicine·A BensoussanK O'Connor
Jan 10, 2006·The Medical Journal of Australia·Alastair H MacLennanAnne W Taylor
Apr 6, 2006·The Medical Journal of Australia·Graeme C MillerLisa Valenti
Nov 23, 2006·British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology·Peter A G M De Smet
Apr 29, 2008·QJM : Monthly Journal of the Association of Physicians·O Jolobe

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Citations

Aug 25, 2012·Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine : ECAM·Chi-Wai LuiJoseph R Coll
Jul 20, 2016·Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine : ECAM·Caroline A SmithKylie Barr
Sep 14, 2016·BMC Gastroenterology·Kelly L HaywardElizabeth E Powell
Feb 15, 2015·International Journal of STD & AIDS·Lesley A BraunAlison J Duncan
Nov 22, 2016·British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology·Rania Al DweikSanni Yaya
Mar 24, 2021·South African Journal of Botany : Official Journal of the South African Association of Botanists = Suid-Afrikaanse Tydskrif Vir Plantkunde : Amptelike Tydskrif Van Die Suid-Afrikaanse Genootskap Van Plantkundiges·Aitebiremen Gift Omokhua-Uyi, Johannes Van Staden

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