부산대학교 도서관

To purchase or authenticate to the full-text of this article, please visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1528-1167.2007.01379.x Byline: Noah Samuels (*), Yoram Finkelstein ([dagger]), Shepherd Roee Singer (*), Menachem Oberbaum (*) Keywords: Herbs; Epilepsy; Neurotoxic; Anti-epileptics; Interaction; Drug disposition Abstract: Summary The use of complementary and alternative medicine is on the rise, including among patients with epilepsy. Herbal medicine, one of the most popular forms of CAM, is considered to be both safe and effective by most consumers. Yet many herbs may increase the risk for seizures, through intrinsic proconvulsant properties or contamination by heavy metals, as well as via effects on the cytochrome P450 enzymes and P-glycoproteins, altering antiepileptic drug (AED) disposition. Herb-drug interactions may be difficult to predict, especially since the quality and quantity of active ingredients are often unknown. Since most patients do not inform their physicians that they are taking herbal medicines, health care professionals must initiate a dialogue in order to prevent complications with the combined regimen. At the same time, further research is required regarding the effect of herbs on seizure activity and interactions with AED treatment. Author Affiliation: (*)The Center for Integrative Complementary Medicine ([dagger])Division of Neurology and Toxicology, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel Article History: Accepted August 31, 2007; Online Early publication October 17, 2007. Article note: Address correspondence to Dr. Noah Samuels, The Center for Integrative Complementary Medicine, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, P.O.B. 3235, Jerusalem, Israel 91031. E-mail: refplus@netvision.net.il