Herbal-drug therapy interactions: a focus on dementia

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#aged #dementia #drug-interactions #ginkgo-biloba #herb-drug-interactions

Herbal-drug therapy interactions: a focus on dementia

Gold et al., 2001 | Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care | Systematic Review

Citation

Gold J L, Laxer D A, ... Rochon P A. Herbal-drug therapy interactions: a focus on dementia. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2001-Jan;4(1):29-34

Abstract

Older people with dementia are often prescribed numerous medications. Use of herbal therapies in addition to these conventional drug therapies may lead to interactions that result in an adverse drug event. We have conducted a systematic review to identify all studies that examined interactions between herbal and conventional drug therapies (i.e. prescription or over-the-counter). Using a MEDLINE search of English-language studies published between 1980 and 2000, we limited our search to those herbal therapies most likely to be used for the treatment of dementia (memory loss and decreased concentration) and related symptoms. We identified 28 articles that describe interactions between these herbal (i.e. St. John's wort, ginkgo biloba, kava, valerian, and ginseng) and conventional drug therapies. Of these articles, 11 examined St. John's wort, four examined ginkgo biloba, five examined kava, one examined valerian, and seven examined ginseng. We identified a series of potential interactions between herbal and conventional drug therapy that place older people at risk for an adverse drug event. Health care professionals need to be aware of these potential interactions.

Key Findings

Health care professionals need to be aware of these potential interactions.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Aged
  • Dementia
  • Drug Interactions
  • Ginkgo biloba
  • Herb-Drug Interactions
  • Humans
  • Hypericum
  • Kava
  • MEDLINE
  • Panax
  • Plants, Medicinal
  • Valerian

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Systematic Review
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: ginkgo

Provenance

  • PMID: 11122556
  • DOI: (not available)
  • PMCID: Not in PMC
  • Verified: 2026-04-09 via PubMed E-utilities API

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09