Site Credits Awards Search Tools Below is a general set of questions that will hopefully stand you in good stead when medication is being prescribed or when medication has been recommended. While this form is no substitute for a professional consultation, you can try using Dr. Koop's interaction checker . Remember to return to the Informed Consumer main page to see what other files are on this site to help you get started. If someone recommends an alternative treatment or something that is not FDA-approved, you might ask if they can give you some studies or research that have been run on this treatment. Their decision should not be interpreted to mean that herbals don't have the potential to have adverse or even life-threatening consequences at times.
Some herbals seem to be demonstrating some clinical efficacy for particular conditions.
As but one example, St. John's Wort has attracted attention as an alternative to medications used to treat depression. But like prescription serotonergic medications that are are used to treat depression, St. John's Wort can lead to Serotonin Syndrome. In the past year or so, preliminary research has also reported positive effects of omega 3 fatty acids on Bipolar Disorder, but again, there is not enough controlled research to make any firm claims about efficacy, and way too little to determine possible adverse effects when used alone or in combination with prescribed medications. Don't assume safety. XVII Issue 12.