Study about Herb-Drug Interaction for Cancer Patients

암 환자의 한약-양약 상호작용에 대한 고찰

Objectives : We present some opinions to reduce the risk of herb-drug interactions through scanning "About Herbs" of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Website. Methods : We searched the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Website of About Herbs and investigated herb-drug interactions. Results : There are 237 herbs and 196 drugs on About Herbs. 81.1% of herbs have fewer than 2 interactions listed.: 86.3% of drugs fewer than 3 interactions. Especially, 13 herbs were reported to have interactions with inclusive chemoagents on About Herbs. Only L-theanine has positive interaction with inclusive chemoagents. The others have negative interactions with inclusive chemoagents. 12 single chemoagents were reported to have interactions with some herbs. Especially tamoxifen-black cohosh, methotrexate-glutamin and aldesleukin-Huang Chi have positive interactions to increase the effects of the chemoagent. Conclusions : We should urgently create a risk management system of herb-drug interactions and take note of the risk of herb-drug interactions. We should build up systemic, evidence-based informations on popular herbs used by Korean cancer patients and herb-drug interactions in oncology like About Herbs.