Drug-Herb Interactions & Cancer: A Pharmacist’s Guide
- A growing number of cancer patients on oral therapies are using herbal supplements, creating a challenge for oncology care.Many patients fail to disclose this use to their health...
- To address this,research is being presented at the 2025 Oncology Pharmacists Connect (OPC) meeting in Austin,Texas,from June 19-20.
- The UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center conducted a survey-based study from January 2020 to March 2023.
Oncology pharmacists are crucial in navigating the complexities of Drug-herb Interactions & Cancer, an urgent issue for patients undergoing cancer treatment. Uncover how a recent study highlights the prevalence of herbal supplement use among cancer patients, many of whom don’t disclose them to their healthcare providers. Learn about the pivotal role of oncology pharmacists in safeguarding patient safety by identifying and managing potential interactions. discover how pharmacists are using medication reconciliation to identify these supplements. The study reveals 40 different supplements used and the common interactions of herbal supplement. news Directory 3 provides key insights from the 2025 Oncology Pharmacists Connect (OPC) meeting. What’s next in ensuring patient safety? Discover what’s next in the fight against harmful drug-herb interactions.
Oncology Pharmacists Address Herbal supplement Risks in Cancer Treatment
A growing number of cancer patients on oral therapies are using herbal supplements, creating a challenge for oncology care.Many patients fail to disclose this use to their health care providers, increasing the risk of harmful drug-herb interactions that could compromise treatment and safety.
To address this,research is being presented at the 2025 Oncology Pharmacists Connect (OPC) meeting in Austin,Texas,from June 19-20. The study examines the prevalence of herbal supplement use, the role of oncology pharmacists in managing risks, and a framework for improving patient safety.The role of medication reconciliation is key to identifying these supplements.
The UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center conducted a survey-based study from January 2020 to March 2023. Oncology pharmacists recorded herbal supplement use among 100 cancer patients on oral therapy. They noted the type of supplement, how it was disclosed, and whether interventions were accepted. Literature reviews assessed the safety, efficacy, and potential drug interactions of the five most common supplements.
The study identified 40 different herbal supplements. Curcumin (17%), reishi mushroom (7%), and quercetin (6%) were the most frequently used. Pharmacists identified supplement use mainly through medication reconciliation (57%), with provider (37%) and nurse (6%) reports making up the rest. Interventions by pharmacists were universally accepted by providers (100%) and highly accepted by patients (94%). Key drug-herb interactions included CYP enzyme alterations, impacts on drug metabolism, and increased bleeding risk. The study provides a framework for assessing herbal supplement safety in oncology patients.
The Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association (HOPA) BCOP Program will precede OPC on June 18. It features 4.0 continuing education hours from BCOP Updates 2024 and the Annual Conference 2025, covering topics like acute leukemia and cellular therapy.
What’s next
Standardized screening and further research are needed to optimize patient safety regarding herbal supplement use during cancer treatment. The OPC meeting aims to foster collaboration and innovation in oncology pharmacy.