Learn more about interactions between Chinese medicines and western medicines
With the increasing public awareness of Chinese medicines and the fact that Chinese medicines are in more convenient forms for storage and intake, there is a growing number of people taking Chinese medicines. Some patients who are on chronic western medicines may also consider the use of Chinese medicines to address various health issues. Hence, both Chinese and western medicines play an important role in the management of diseases.
It is worth noting that drug interactions may occur when two or more medications are used concomitantly, regardless of Chinese medicines or western medicines. When there is a drug interaction, the pharmacodynamics (what the drug does to the body) and pharmacokinetics (what the body does to the drug) can be affected. These may lead to changes in the drug effectiveness or increase the risk of adverse effects of the western medicines. Below are some common examples:
It is worth noting that drug interactions may occur when two or more medications are used concomitantly, regardless of Chinese medicines or western medicines. When there is a drug interaction, the pharmacodynamics (what the drug does to the body) and pharmacokinetics (what the body does to the drug) can be affected. These may lead to changes in the drug effectiveness or increase the risk of adverse effects of the western medicines. Below are some common examples:
References:
NatMed, Therapeutic Research Centre. Available at: https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com
Micromedex® (electronic version). Merative, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA. Available at: https://www.micromedexsolutions.com
NatMed, Therapeutic Research Centre. Available at: https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com
Micromedex® (electronic version). Merative, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA. Available at: https://www.micromedexsolutions.com
Important notes
- In general, Chinese medicines should be administered at least 1-2 hours before or after the western medicines. However, this can only avoid the potential drug-drug interactions occurred due to direct contact in the stomach, and cannot avoid any potential interactions occurred after the drugs are absorbed into the body.
- Depending on the patient's health condition, other precautionary measures ranging from review and monitoring of drug response, use with caution, adjustment of the concerned drugs to even avoidance, etc. may need to be taken to manage the overall systemic effects of the potential interaction.
- Most of the Chinese medicines are generally safe when used properly with western medicines. It is advised to seek guidance from healthcare professionals when taking Chinese medicines and western medicines concomitantly.
- There is a team of Chinese medicine pharmacists based within the Chief Pharmacist's Office of the Hospital Authority, enhancing the development of safe and effective use of Chinese medicines.