Drug-herb interactions with herbal medicines for menopause

Abstract

Herbal medicine is one of most popular choices of complementary therapies for women, particularly as an alternative treatment for menopausal symptoms. The most commonly used herbal medicines for the menopause is probably black cohosh (Actaea/Cimcifuga racemosa); other preparations used include red clover (Trifolium pratense), dong quai (Angelica sinesis) and evening primrose (Oenothera biennis). Some of these herbal medicines have a very good safety profile with little or no suggestion of interaction with conventional drugs. For others, there are many and significant drug-herb interactions. This article outlines the major known and theoretical drug-herb interactions of herbal medicines thought to be of benefit for menopausal symptoms, as well as discussing the implications for the medical profession.