Herbal supplements are becoming increasingly popular due to their potential benefits. However, their ‘natural’ nature might be deceiving, since many vitamins and drugs can have substantial negative side effects when used alone or in combination with other supplements or medications.
Their use should not be taken lightly, and dose instructions should be followed at all times, according to a new study.
A new case report published by Elsevier in Heart Rhythm Case Reports, the official publication of the Heart Rhythm Society, offers one example. It details a patient who developed dizziness and fainting after using hemp oil containing CBD and CBG, as well as berberine pills, and was later diagnosed with a serious cardiac arrhythmia.
The study looks at the case of a 56-year-old lady who was sent to the emergency room after fainting and dizziness without warning. After an ECG revealed short bursts of torsade de pointes, a fast heartbeat originating in the ventricles, and a notably prolonged QT interval, which implies the heart’s electrical system takes longer than normal to recharge between beats, she was diagnosed with a life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia.
Aside from the low blood pressure, the patient’s physical examination and blood testing were normal. Herbal supplements she was using to assist her cope with a tough work-life balance were identified as the cause by the doctors. She’d been on a six-times-recommended-dose hemp oil regimen for four months and had lately added berberine to the mix. During her hospital stay, she stopped taking all supplements, which caused her QT interval to gradually decrease until it normalized after five days. Her ECG remained within normal range at her three-month follow-up, and she reported no new bouts of dizziness or fainting. With no other possible causes, her return to normal confirmed the diagnosis that the supplements were to blame for the arrhythmia.
Herbal supplements, particularly those containing CBD (cannabidiol), have been increasingly popular in recent years. CBD has been proven to have anti-inflammatory, antiepileptic, analgesic, anxiolytic, antipsychotic, and immunomodulatory characteristics and is available without a prescription. It does not include THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which provides the psychoactive effect of cannabis, and is available as a raw material or ready-to-use products (e.g., cosmetics, tobacco alternatives, scented oils). As a result, it is not scrutinized by drug regulatory organizations. Berberine, which can be found in the roots, rhizomes, and stem bark of a variety of medicinal plants, is commonly used in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine to treat infections, diarrhea, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.
Herbal supplements are widely regarded as safe natural substances, although their production is generally unregulated. The exact content of these compounds varies widely from one distributor to the next, and their pharmacological and pharmacokinetic effects are unknown. The effectiveness, toxicity, and possibility for interactions are all unknown. As a result, anticipating their negative outcomes is not always possible.
The researchers advised patients and doctors to be cautious of potential side effects, follow dosing instructions, and think about possible drug interactions, especially in patients with underlying cardiac disease or those who are already on QT-prolonging medicine.
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