Use of medicinal plants by the elderly at primary health care in Porto Alegre/ RS and potential herb-drug interactions

• Autor(a) principal: Scheid, Taína
• Data de Publicação: 2020
• Outros Autores: Fajardo, Ananyr Porto
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Revista Fitos
• Texto Completo: https://revistafitos.far.fiocruz.br/index.php/revista-fitos/article/view/801
• topic: Diabetes mellitus; Hypertension; Polymedication; Achyrocline satureioides; Zingiber officinale; Public health; Diabetes mellitus; Hipertensão arterial; Polimedicação; Achyrocline satureioides; Zingiber officinale; Saúde Coletiva

The study aimed to investigate the use of medicinal plants among polimedicated elderly people with diabetes and hypertension from a primary health service in Porto Alegre/RS and conduct literature research on potential herb-drug interactions. Twenty-two elderly were interviewed about medicinal plants, its preparation, frequency of use, place of acquisition, and knowledge about possible side effects. The results showed that, in addition to the prescribed drugs, these elderly people use medicinal herbs as their self-care practice (mainly Marcela, Achyrocline satureioides and chamomile, Matricaria chamomilla). Knowledge about plants is learned in families and the notion that medicinal plants are harmless prevails. However, most of the species mentioned have a description of potential interactions with drugs and/or physiopathological modifications that may be prejudicial in the context of polypharmacy, diabetes, and hypertension presented by the interviewees. For instance, ginger and anticoagulants; rosemary and drug metabolism induction; pennyroyal and hepatotoxicity risk. The results of this study reinforce the need for guidance of polymedicated elderly on the use of medicinal plants by health services, taking into account the greater vulnerability of this population to the potential risks described here.