St. John's Wort May Interfere with Cancer Drug
"New York (Reuters Health) - The herb St. John's Wort, used as an alternative therapy for mild depression, may hinder the effectiveness of a newer type of cancer drug, according to researchers.
"Their study of 10 healthy volunteers found that the herbal remedy lowered blood levels of the cancer drug Gleevec (known in some countries as Glivec) by as much as 42 percent.
"In a cancer patient, the study authors warn, this could mean the difference between success or failure on Gleevec, an oral drug used mainly to treat the blood cancer chronic myeloid leukemia.
"The findings, published in the journal Pharmacology, add to the list of prescription drugs that don't mix well with St. John's Wort. Past studies have shown that the drug may alter blood levels of some other chemotherapy drugs, as well as certain cardiovascular drugs, HIV medications, antidepressants and birth control pills. [my emphasis]
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"New York (Reuters Health) - The herb St. John's Wort, used as an alternative therapy for mild depression, may hinder the effectiveness of a newer type of cancer drug, according to researchers.
"Their study of 10 healthy volunteers found that the herbal remedy lowered blood levels of the cancer drug Gleevec (known in some countries as Glivec) by as much as 42 percent.
"In a cancer patient, the study authors warn, this could mean the difference between success or failure on Gleevec, an oral drug used mainly to treat the blood cancer chronic myeloid leukemia.
"The findings, published in the journal Pharmacology, add to the list of prescription drugs that don't mix well with St. John's Wort. Past studies have shown that the drug may alter blood levels of some other chemotherapy drugs, as well as certain cardiovascular drugs, HIV medications, antidepressants and birth control pills. [my emphasis]
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Nora posted item above at 8:14 AM | Permalink
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