Pilot study for the surveillance of adverse reactions to herbal preparations and dietary supplements
Menniti-Ippolito, F.; Mazzanti, G.; Firenzuoli, F.; Bianchi, A.; Raschetti, R.
Annali Dell'istituto Superiore di Sanita 41(1): 39-42
2005
ISSN/ISBN: 0021-2571 PMID: 16037648 Document Number: 586854
Use of herbal medicine is increasing in Italy. Herbal preparations are generally used as self-medication, often in the wrong belief that "natural" can be equated with "harmless". On the other hand, the use of these products has been associated with serious adverse events, due to the quality of the raw materials used, to interactions with synthetic drugs or to their use in particular conditions, such as pregnancy or lactation. To monitor herbal preparation use in the population is necessary to identify possible adverse reactions. This was the objective of this pilot study, together with the urgency to inform health personnel and patients on the correct use of these products. After this experience we strongly believe that a system to assess the safety of herbal preparations is needed.