The impact of herbal remedies on adverse effects and quality of life in HIV-infected individuals on antiretroviral therapy

Authors

  • Nyashadzashe Bepe School of Pharmacy, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
  • Nathan Madanhi School of Pharmacy, University of Zimbabwe
  • Tinashe Mudzviti School of Pharmacy
  • Samuel Gavi Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley.
  • Charles C Maponga School of Pharmacy, University of Zimbabwe
  • Gene D Morse Center of Excellence, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.1415

Keywords:

Quality of life, Herbal therapies, Adverse drug reactions, Antiretrovirals

Abstract

Introduction: Use of herbal remedies among HIV-infected individuals in Africa increased in the past decade, mainly due to traditional beliefs and at times inconsistent access to antiretroviral drugs.  In Zimbabwe, accessibility and availability of antiretroviral drugs has increased in recent years; however, the use of herbal remedies remains high.   This study was conducted to determine the impact of concomitant use of herbal remedies with antiretroviral drugs on adverse events and on quality of life.

Methodology: A convenient sample of HIV positive patients at Parirenyatwa group of hospitals' Family Care Clinic (Harare, Zimbabwe) was enrolled. A questionnaire was used to collect data on the adverse event experiences of the patients using herbal remedies for their HIV, as well as the types of herbal remedy used. Quality of life index was measured using an HIV/AIDS targeted quality of life (HAT-QOL) tool developed by the World Health Organization.

Results:  Abdominal pain (odds ratio = 2.7, p-value = 0.01) and rash (odds ratio = 2.5, p-value = 0.02) had significant associations with using herbal remedies during antiretroviral therapy. Improved quality of life index was not significantly associated with herbal remedy use during antiretroviral therapy.

Conclusions:  There is evidence to suggest that some traditional herbal remedies used in Zimbabwe may increase incidence of certain types of adverse events when used in combination with antiretroviral drugs.  Use of herbal drugs in combination with antiretroviral therapy does not significantly improve quality of life index in comparison to antiretroviral drug use only.

Author Biographies

Nyashadzashe Bepe, School of Pharmacy, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe

B Pharm (Hons)

Nathan Madanhi, School of Pharmacy, University of Zimbabwe

B. Pharm (Hons)

Tinashe Mudzviti, School of Pharmacy

B.Pharm(Hons) MPhil candidate (U.Z.)

Samuel Gavi, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley.

B.Pharm (Hons), MS Epidemiology

Charles C Maponga, School of Pharmacy, University of Zimbabwe

PharmD, MHPE.

Gene D Morse, Center of Excellence, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY

Pharm.D., FCCP, BCPS

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Published

2010-09-06

How to Cite

1.
Bepe N, Madanhi N, Mudzviti T, Gavi S, Maponga CC, Morse GD (2010) The impact of herbal remedies on adverse effects and quality of life in HIV-infected individuals on antiretroviral therapy. J Infect Dev Ctries 5:048–053. doi: 10.3855/jidc.1415

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Section

Original Articles