Fast Five Quiz: Are You Familiar With Herbal Products and Dietary Supplements?

Interactions between herbs and drugs occur with use of the same transport or metabolic protein, often cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes, glucuronosyltransferases, and P-glycoprotein; these interactions often result in induction or inhibition activity. St John's wort is a potent CYP3A4 inducer and can lead to decreased efficacy of numerous drugs (eg, antiretroviral agents for HIV, calcineurin inhibitors to prevent transplant rejection). St John's wort may be effective in mild depression, but studies have shown that it is not effective in moderate or major depressive disorders.

For more on the use of herbal supplements, read here.

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Cite this: Mary L. Windle. Fast Five Quiz: Are You Familiar With Herbal Products and Dietary Supplements? - Medscape - Oct 12, 2016.