Evaluation of herbal dietary supplements marketed on the internet for recreational use.
The Annals of pharmacotherapy October 1, 2005 Cathi E Dennehy, Candy Tsourounis, Amy E Miller 80 citations
Herbal dietary supplements are marketed online as legal alternatives to illicit drugs. An analysis of 28 websites selling 119 products found that 47% of products were compared to drugs like marijuana or Ecstasy. Common ingredients included ephedra alkaloids, Salvia divinorum, and kava. Most sites were US-based and compliant with labeling regulations. Effect claims often described the products as hallucinogens or stimulants. While 64% of sites mentioned adverse effects and 54% noted drug interactions, the marketing for recreational use—to alter mood or get high—raises public health concerns. Healthcare professionals should be aware of this trend.