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A Review on Drug-Drug Interactions Between Herbal and Allopathic Medicines
Abstract
The concurrent use of herbal and allopathic medicines has become increasingly prevalent worldwide, particularly among patients with chronic conditions or those seeking holistic approaches to health. This review comprehensively analyses drug-drug interactions (DDIs) between herbal and allopathic medicines, focusing on the types of interactions, underlying mechanisms, and their clinical implications. The most susceptible allopathic drug classes are anticoagulants, antidepressants, immunosuppressants, and cardiovascular drugs. The clinical implications of these interactions range from mild gastrointestinal symptoms to life-threatening events, such as severe bleeding, organ failure, or loss of therapeutic effect. Future research should focus on clarifying the mechanisms, improving the quality and transparency of studies, and developing evidence-based guidelines for the safe concurrent use of herbal and allopathic medicines.
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