Book Review

Natural Approaches Index to Drug Interactions, Depletions, and Complements

Baylor Rice, RPh, and Jennifer Edelblute ACHS, LLC

This index was written by a pharmacist for the pharmacist. It is a reference guide designed to save time required to locate information on drug interactions, depletions, and complements. It is well-referenced and is a compilation of the best information from references such as the following: ¦ German Commission E monograph system for phytomedicines: A model for regulatory reform in the United States. In: Phytomedicines of Europe: Chemistry and Biological Activity (American Chemical Society, Distributed by Oxford University Press, Washington, DC; 1998) ¦ Review of Natural Products, 2001 (Facts & Comparisons, St. Louis, MO; 1998) ¦ PDR for Herbal Medicines 1999. 2nd ed. (Medical Economics, Montvale, NJ; 1999) ¦ Drug-Induced Nutrient Depletion Handbook (Lexi-Comp, Inc, Hudson, OH; 1999) ¦ Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements: The Essential Guide for Improving Your Health Naturally (Prima Publishing, Rocklin, CA; 1996) ¦ The Healing Power of Herbs (Prima Communications, Inc, Rocklin, CA; 1995) Information in this text is presented in a three-ring binder and is updated annually. It is indexed by drug, drug category, and natural ingredient (herb or nutrient) and contains more than 60 drug or drug categories and natural ingredients. The effects of the natural ingredients (depletions, complements, or interactions) are also listed. Mechanisms of action and references are also provided. This reference is easy to use, and finding information takes only a few minutes. Unlike other similar references, it contains only documented information about depletions, complements, and drug interactions. It is exactly what the pharmacist needs to recommend a natural product. Other reference texts contain extensive information on chemical compositions, dosage forms, and pharmacology. Although those topics are very valuable, locating information specifically on drug depletions is very time-consuming. This book is considerably more expensive than the Drug-Induced Nutrient Depletion Handbook, but it is much easier and faster to use, much more concise, and contains only relevant information, so it is worth the extra expense. For an additional cost, you can obtain customized natural medicine monographs, patient evaluation forms, and disease-state condition protocols for use in your pharmacy, as well as technical support and assistance.