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Complementary medicines in psychiatry

Review of effectiveness and safety

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Ursula Werneke ,
Trevor Turner  and
Stefan Priebe
Ursula Werneke*
Affiliation:
Division of Health Service Research, Institute of Psychiatry, and Division of Psychiatry Homerton University Hospital
Trevor Turner
Affiliation:
Division of Psychiatry, Homerton University Hospital
Stefan Priebe
Affiliation:
Unit for Social and Community Psychiatry, Barts and The London, NHS Trust, Queen Mary School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, UK
*
Dr Ursula Werneke, Division of Psychiatry, Homerton University Hospital, East Wing, Homerton Row, London E9 6SR, UK. E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

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Background

The use of complementary medicines in those with mental health problems is well documented. However, their effectiveness is often not established and they may be less harmless than commonly assumed.

Aims

To review the complementary medicines routinely encountered in psychiatric practice, their effectiveness, potential adverse effects and interactions.

Method

Electronic and manual literature search on the effectiveness and safety of psychotropic complementary medicines.

Results

Potentially useful substances include ginkgo and hydergine as cognitive enhancers, passion flower and valerian as sedatives, St John's wort and sadenosylmethionine as antidepressants, and selenium and folate to complement antidepressants. The evidence is less conclusive for the use of omega-3 fatty acids as augmentation treatment in schizophrenia, melatonin for tardive dyskinesia and 18-methoxycoronaridine, an ibogaine derivative, for the treatment of cocaine and heroin addiction.

Conclusions

Systematic clinical trials are needed to test promising substances. Meanwhile, those wishing to take psychotropic complementary medicines require appropriate advice.

Type
Review Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 188 , Issue 2 , February 2006 , pp. 109 - 121
Copyright
Copyright © 2006 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

Footnotes

Declaration of Interest

None.

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