Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BHP) represents one of the most common health issues in older men. This master´s thesis examines the composition and safety of herbal medicines and dietary supplements that are used to alleviate symptoms associated with BHP. A total of 23 products available on the Slovenian market were analyzed, including 6 herbal medicines and 17 dietary supplements. Altogether, 36 different ingredients were identified, the most common being saw palmetto, stinging nettle, pumpkin and smallflowered willowherb. Differences in safety and scientific evidence exist between herbal medicinal products and dietary supplements due to differences in their regulatory requirements. Herbal medicinal products must demonstrate their quality, safety, and efficacy before being placed on the market, whereas dietary supplements are classified as foods and are therefore subject to less stringent regulations. The literature review showed that saw palmetto, have scientifically the most supported efficacy in relieving symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia. For most other ingredients, the available evidence is less convincing and often limited, frequently relying on traditional use (stinging nettle, smallflowered willowherb). Most reviewed products contained combinations of several ingredients acting through different mechanisms of action. The safety assessment indicated that the selected herbal products are generally well tolerated and are mainly associated with mild gastrointestinal adverse effects if they are used in accordance with the instructions. However, some ingredients may interact with medications, especially anticoagulants, antihypertensives and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which are commonly used by older adults. Therefore, the potential for drug interactions should be carefully considered. The thesis also examined the labelling and advertising of these products, as misleading claims regarding their actual efficacy are frequently encountered in practice. Herbal medicinal products may include approved health claims, whereas dietary supplements are not permitted to claim that they treat or prevent diseases. Some of the analyzed dietary supplements included claims and expressions such as »special extract«, »an exceptionally powerful blend«, »complete formulation«, which may mislead consumers regarding the actual efficacy of the products. The use of herbal medicines and dietary supplements used for prostate-related conditions may be appropriate for alleviating mild simptoms. However, their use requires careful evaluation of th available scientific evidence and appropriate counselling by pharmacists and other healthcare professionals, particularly due to the potential for drug interactions and the presence of misleading advertising.
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