Clinical pharmacology 3 - CAM Flashcards
CAM
Broad set of healthcare practices that are not part of that country’s own tradition and are not integrated into the dominant healthcare system (WHO)
Key underlying dogma for CAM
long history and stood the test of time lot of support holistic inexpensive natural and safe tackle root cause of problem being suppressed by the establishment
Give some examples of CAM
Chinese medicine, homeopathy, aromatherapy, chiropractor, acupuncture, herbal products, yoga, meditation, massage, reflexology
Safety concerns of CAM
think because have been used a long time they are safe
lack of scientific valid safety and efficacy data
no way to report ADR
Who are the high risk groups in respect to CAM?
pregnancy
children
on prescribed medication
polypharmacy
Who uses CAM?
affluent, women, educated, cancer patients, pregnancy, friends and family use
concerns over CAM
cost effectiveness implausibility of most therapies lack of evidence for benefit lack of safety data ADE/herb-drug interactions evidence of harm unqualified practitioners stopping conventional medicines
Why do people use CAM?
- desire for personal control over health
- holistic approach
- dissatisfaction with conventional treatments
- think its safe, natural, harmless
- chronic symptoms
- relatives use CAM
- concerns about SE of prescribed medication
Why do healthcare professionals recommend CAM?
experience use CAM themselves placebo effect feel good factor patient demand genuine belief in therapy
Herbal products
herbs and herbal materials which contain active ingredients
can contain heavy metals, bacteria, medicines
Breast cancer and CAM
70% patient have or do use CAM
oestrogenic activity eg soya, chamomile, garlic
herb-drug interactions
early pregnancy and CAM
2/3 women, herbal products, use by family and friends, use before pregnancy
Homeopathy - who created this?
Samuel Hahnemann in 18th century
What is homeopathy?
like cures like
1 part toxin, 10 parts water or alcohol
efficacy of homeopathy
scientifically implausible
no convincing evidence
safe and harmless??
missed diagnosis and inappropriate treatment
