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【medical-news】缓解绝经期症状的草药：有效性和
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Jan 13 - Although herbal medications are commonly used to relieve menopausal symptoms, the efficacy and safety of such products are under-researched, according to a review in the January issue of the Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin, a publication of the BMJ Group.
Overall, "information on potentially significant herb-drug interactions is limited," the review concludes. "Healthcare professionals should ask women routinely if they are taking any such products."
The article points out that the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency has begun to implement the Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products Directive. When the directive becomes fully operational in 2011, all over-the-counter herbal products will need to be registered with the agency. So far, only one product (Menoherb), which contains black cohosh, has received a Traditional Herbal Registration number for menopausal symptoms.
The review cites seven randomized, double-blind controlled trials of black cohosh for treatment of postmenopausal symptoms, three of which showed benefit from the herb. Two other trials of a combination of black cohosh and St John's wort also documented symptom reductions with active treatment. However, the article cautions, evidence suggests a possible association between black cohosh and liver toxicity.
Multiple trials of red clover, soy, and other types of phytoestrogens have for the most part shown no benefit. Concern has been raised that phytoestrogens may interfere with selective estrogen receptor modulators and aromatase inhibitors.
"There is little evidence for or against benefit with other herbs commonly used for menopausal symptoms, such as dong quai, evening primrose oil, ginseng, wild yam, chaste tree, hops and sage," the authors write.
However, they note, "dong quai potentiates the effect of warfarin, increasing the risk of bleeding; therefore, co-administration of these two drugs is contraindicated." Evening primrose oil may increase risk the risk of seizures when taken with phenothiazines or other seizure-promoting drugs. Ginseng is associated with side effects such as headache and gastrointestinal symptoms, and it too may interfere with warfarin treatment.
Kava kava is banned in the UK because of reports of associated liver damage.
Drug Ther Bull 2009;47:2-6.
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/586769 本人已认领该文编译，48小时后若未提交译文，请其他战友自由认领。 对于加利福尼亚州的伯利菲夫妇来说，75美元的处方药和5美元中草药间作出选择根本不需动脑子，因为高额的医保支出已让他们不堪重负。
据今天美国媒体报道称，伯利菲夫妇身上反映了一种在美国迅速蔓延的趋势——为了省钱，许多美国人不再求助本土医生，而求助中医，甚至自行配制中药。
得克萨斯州的一家经销商表示，在过去数周内，全美商店售出的营养品和中药产品有所增加。而全美的中医诊所越来越受当地百姓的推崇。“看医生的费用太高，我们的保险金不够用。”61岁的凯茜·伯利菲说，最近，他们一家的保险费用增加到了1300美元/月，这是以前的两倍。
而现在处方药动辄标价50美元、75美元，每次买药她都踌躇再三，直到她求助中医，开始使用缬草治疗失眠。
无独有偶，费用高昂的西医和医保也令克里斯登·坎普转投中药。“我有三个孩子，光是每个孩子去医生那里一趟就要花20美元。”
所以她一直在给孩子们用加蜂蜜的茶来治嗓子疼，并用各种中药来治疗感冒和胃痛。
坎普表示，10美元一大瓶的中药甚至比一般的非处方药还便宜。“我在想法省钱，以防万一我们工作不保的时候能有些积蓄。”坎普说。
截至去年12月28日的三个月内，全美维生素和营养品的销售额达到了6.39亿美元，比2007年同期增长10%。其中便包括了中药类补品6%的增长。这还不包括在沃尔玛等超市的销量。
2008年12月份的官方调查称，对西医成本的顾虑已经影响美国人转向替代型产品。
2007年，有18%的美国人服用包括中药在内的替代药品，而当中有约四分之一的人是由于无法及时得到医保的支持。 粗译
Efficacy and Safety of Herbs for Menopause Symptoms Are Largely Unproved
缓解绝经期症状的草药：有效性和安全性大部分未得到证实
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Jan 13 - Although herbal medications are commonly used to relieve menopausal symptoms, the efficacy and safety of such products are under-researched, according to a review in the January issue of the Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin, a publication of the BMJ Group.
纽约（路透社 健康版）1月13日——根据1月份发表在《英国医学期刊》的药物和治疗学通报的一篇综述，虽然草药疗法已广泛应用于缓解更年期综合症，这些产品的有效性和安全性还在研究中。
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作者:admin@医学,生命科学 2011-06-27 01:33
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