With the growing popularity of herbal supplements used alongside
conventional medications, herb-drug interactions have become a significant concern in
contemporary healthcare. This chapter explores the pharmacokinetic and
pharmacodynamic mechanisms by which herbal products can alter drug efficacy and
safety. It provides an in-depth analysis of interactions involving commonly prescribed
drug classes, such as anticoagulants, antihypertensives, and antidepressants, and widely
used medicinal herbs like Echinacea, Ginkgo biloba, and St. John’s Wort. The
discussion highlights the clinical relevance and potential dangers of these interactions,
stressing the importance of healthcare professionals actively monitoring patients and
educating them about the safe use of herbal products. Furthermore, the chapter delves
into recent developments in personalized medicine, pharmacogenomics, and regulatory
frameworks, offering new insights into the effective management of herb-drug
interactions.
Keywords: Drug metabolism, Herb-drug interactions, Herbal supplements, Patient safety, Pharmacodynamics, Pharmacokinetics, Personalized medicine, Pharmacogenomics.
