Drug Interactions in Clinical Practice

The existence of numerous drugs available today for clinical management of patients require consideration of their potential interactions - alteration of the effects of one drug by the concurrent or prior administration of one or more drugs (drug-drug interactions). There could also be alteration of the effects of a drug by food (drug – food interactions). Ultimately the effects of one or more of the drugs are increased or decreased. Unwanted interactions can cause adverse drug reactions or therapeutic failure. Since in clinical practice, it is often difficult to predict the clinical significance of known or suggested drug interactions, the possibility of problems developing must be viewed in perspective. Therefore, if an interaction appears likely, therapeutic alternatives should be considered when prescribing and administering drugs to patients. Key Words: drug interactions, therapeutic effects, adverse effects, clinical practice. Nigerian Medical Practitioner Vol.46(4) 2004: 80-8

Phytochemical, nutritional and medical properties of some leafy vegetables consumed by Edo people of Nigeria

A systematic survey of green leafy vegetables from Edo State of Nigeria was carried out to evaluate their frequency of use in local meals. Twelve commonest ones out of the twenty nine green leafy vegetables encountered with frequency 1.5% were selected for further evaluation to determine their nutritional and medicinal values. Fresh leaves were shredded and sun dried before milling into vegetable powder and then taken for qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analysis. Thevegetables were a major source of ascorbic acid and the mean values ranged from 100 to 421.6 mg/100 g with the Amaranthus (408 mg100-1g) and Celosia (421 mg100-1g) species containing higher quantities. Amaranthus and Talinum recorded high mineral contents. The crude protein ranged from 3.8 to 27.7 g/100 g and carbohydrate contents ranged from 2.9 to 47.9 g/100 g. The analysis further showedpresence of alkaloids, inulins, saponins and tannins which are known components of herbs used in traditional medicine. The ailments treated using the 12 selected leafy vegetables include common headaches, fevers, diarrhoea, anaemia, high blood pressure and female infertility

Pharmacovigilance: Tiens Slimming Tea Causes Increased Blood Pressure

Imported herbal products that did not go through the official channel of laboratory testing and clinical trials before approval for use have been introduced into the Nigerian pharmaceutical market. Tiens Slimming Tea marketed in Nigeria for the purpose of weight reduction is one of such products. At Oriaifo Medical Centre we observed and treated a case of increased blood pressure associated with the use of Tiens Slimming Tea in June 2003. It occurred in a female patient who had no prior history of hypertension. Ever since we have observed five more cases of increased blood pressure associated with the use of the slimming tea. In this paper we attempt to explain the possible link between the constituents of the slimming tea and increased blood pressure and also provide evidence of other possible harmful effects that may occur with the use of the slimming tea. Keywords: Pharmacovigilance, hypertension, slimming teaWest African Journal of Pharmacology and Drug Research Vol. 22/23 2007: pp. 39-4