Herbal self-medication use in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2

Background/aim: A considerable number of patients suffering from diabetes mellitus (DM) turn to self-medication using medicinal plants, preparations, and medicine. The aim of this study was to investigate self-medication using medicinal plants and the potential influence of health care professionals’ advice or media information regarding the use of herbal dietary supplements with hypoglycemic effect in a population of patients with type 2 DM. Materials and methods: This research, in the form of an analytic cross-sectional study, was conducted in 6 pharmacies in the territory of Nis, Serbia, during October 2013. The criterion set for the study was to include patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes who used pharmacotherapy in addition to herbal supplements. Results: Surveyed women showed a statistically significant difference in the frequency of using herbal supplements compared to men (P 0.001). More frequent symptoms of hypoglycemia were reported in the group of diabetic respondents who used herbal dietary supplements (P 0.05). The media was most responsible for influencing decisions about self-medication that included the use of herbal dietary supplements. Conclusion: The role of health professionals is indispensable and very important, especially when the media is a potential cause of seeking self-medication.