The prevalence and predictors of herb-drug interactions among Iranian
cancer patients during chemotherapy courses
Abstract
Abstract Background: The concurrent usage of herbal medicines with
conventional therapies is an important concern in cancer treatment which
can lead to unexpected consequences like herb-drug interactions. The aim
of this study was to determine the prevalence of potential herb-drug
interactions and to predict factors associated with herb-drug
interactions for cancer patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study
was conducted among a convenience sample of 315 cancer patients
referring to the oncology clinics of Kerman in 2018. Data were collected
via comprehensive face-to-face interviews and medical chart reviews. A
drug interaction checker was used to determine herb-drug interactions.
The information of patients was compared based on herb-drug interactions
by using bivariable logistic regression models and predictors were
determined by the multivariable logistic regression model. All analyses
were performed by Stata software version 16. Results: Of 262 patients
who used herbal medicines, 209 patients [79.8% (95% CI: 75.2 –
85.1)] had potential herb-drug interactions. Chamomile was the most
popular herbal medicine (n=163, 78%), and minor and moderate herb-drug
interactions were caused by green tea (n=34, 16.3%) and peppermint
(n=78, 37.5%). The number of chemotherapeutic agents (OR: 1.92, 95%
CI: 1.43–2.58; P-value<0.0001) and the experience of pain
during chemotherapy courses (OR=2.22, 95%CI:1.00–4.94; P-value=0.04)
were some of the predictors of herb-drug interactions among cancer
patients. Conclusion: The majority of cancer patients used herbal
medicines during chemotherapy courses and physicians could reduce the
odds of herb-drug interactions with proper education, monitor the side
effects of chemotherapy, and prevent patients from self-medication with
herbal medicines.