Use of the Herbal OTC Products and Dietary Supplements by Patients Receiving Chemotherapy: Survey-Based Study

Context: Among cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, there is a growing trend to use self-medication. Many of them take preparations sold over the counter (OTC) and dietary supplements containing plant raw materials. Aims: The aim of this study is to evaluate the herbal OTC drug and dietary supplement usage among patients treated on the chemotherapy ward. Settings and Design: An anonymous survey was conducted among 92 patients of the chemotherapy ward of the Lower Silesian Oncology Center in Wroclaw (Poland) with the approval of the Bioethical Commission of the Medical University in Wroclaw (no KB-562/2014) and The Declaration of Helsinki. Methods and Material: An anonymous survey was conducted among 92 patients of the chemotherapy ward of the Lower Silesian Oncology Center in Wroclaw (Poland) in 2015. The questions concerned the use of herbal preparations by patients during chemotherapy. Statistical analysis used: The statistical analysis was developed using programs: Microsoft Office Excel 2007 and STATISTICA 10 (StarSoft Inc.). Analysis was performed by χ2 test. Results: The study has confirmed that the use of herbal OTC products and dietary supplements among cancer patients is a common occurrence. The main source of information about herbal preparations is the Internet and the most common place of purchase is a pharmacy. Conclusions: It is necessary to educate cancer patients to increase their awareness of the importance of a doctor’s knowledge about all preparations that they take. Pharmacists play a very important role in self-medication of the patients. Thus, pharmacy students’ education is needed in this field as well.