Navigating herbal dietary supplements: Oral chemotherapy drug interactions in a community cancer center.

Authors

null

Heather F. McCarthy

Southcoast Centers for Cancer Care, Fairhaven, MA

Heather F. McCarthy , Bethany F. Gomes , Patrick John Skeffington , Noelle Cordova , Olivia Huber , Kristina Ward

Organizations

Southcoast Centers for Cancer Care, Fairhaven, MA, Southcoast Centers for Cancer Care, Fall River, MA, Southcoast Center for Cancer Care, Fairhaven, MA, University of Rhode Island, College of Pharmacy, Kingston, RI

Research Funding

No funding received
None

Background: The number of FDA-approved oral chemotherapy medications has continued to increase as has their incorporation into cancer treatment plans. Oncology pharmacists play an integral role in assessing and navigating drug interactions for patients. At Southcoast Centers for Cancer Care (SCCC), oncology pharmacists meet with patients to review/counsel on newly initiated oral therapy. One of the areas assessed during the visit is the use of herbal nutritional supplements. Pharmacists utilize available institutional resources to assess potential interactions and collaborate with the University of Rhode Island (URI), Drug Information Services (DIS), when information is not readily available. Methods: Patient responses about utilization of herbal dietary supplements during pharmacist-patient counseling sessions were assessed. All positive responses triggered a drug-supplement interaction screen. Number of patients taking herbal dietary supplements was tabulated and their use was characterized. Results: From October 2016-June 2019, 187 patients were counseled. Of these, 44/187 (24%) were taking herbal dietary supplements. SCCC pharmacists consulted the URI DIS on 10/44 (23%) patients to assist in identifying, researching, and recommending a care plan. The most frequently used supplements were melatonin and marijuana/CBD oil. The most frequently used supplements that required further consultation included curcumin. Conclusions: Consistent with findings from the general population taking prescription medications, we found that approximately 25% of patients taking oral chemotherapeutic medications were also actively taking herbal dietary supplements. Little data exists regarding oral chemotherapy agents and herbal dietary supplement interactions. Careful questioning/review/research of potential interactions is needed to prevent interactions and maximize effectiveness of oral chemotherapy.

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Abstract Details

Meeting

2020 ASCO Virtual Scientific Program

Session Type

Publication Only

Session Title

Publication Only: Health Services Research and Quality Improvement

Track

Quality Care/Health Services Research

Sub Track

Quality Improvement

Citation

J Clin Oncol 38: 2020 (suppl; abstr e19239)

DOI

10.1200/JCO.2020.38.15_suppl.e19239

Abstract #

e19239

Abstract Disclosures

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