Use of guaco (Mikania glomerata) in primary health care in Rio Grande do Sul/Brazil

Abstract Mikania glomerata (guaco) is included in Brazil’s National List of Essential Drugs (RENAME) with expectorant and bronchodilator indications. This research aims to describe the profile of patients and prescribers of guaco-based herbal medicines within the Unified Health System in the municip...

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Main Authors: Lidiane dos Santos, Diogo Pilger, Aline Rigon Zimmer
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Universidade de São Paulo 2025-01-01
Series:Brazilian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1984-82502025000100309&lng=en&tlng=en
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author Lidiane dos Santos
Diogo Pilger
Aline Rigon Zimmer
author_facet Lidiane dos Santos
Diogo Pilger
Aline Rigon Zimmer
author_sort Lidiane dos Santos
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Mikania glomerata (guaco) is included in Brazil’s National List of Essential Drugs (RENAME) with expectorant and bronchodilator indications. This research aims to describe the profile of patients and prescribers of guaco-based herbal medicines within the Unified Health System in the municipalities of Rio Grande do Sul (RS)/Brazil, quantify the consumption and cost of this product, and assess the prescriber’s experience with guaco and herbal medicine. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted based on questionnaires applied to prescribers and guaco usage data in primary care in RS municipalities (May 1, 2020 - April 30, 2021). 44 municipalities (40%) were identified dispensing guaco syrup in the sample. The results showed a prevalence of women users (57.4%) and patients between 19 and 59 years of age (58.2%). All participating prescribers were physicians, and 37% of the responses indicated daily doses of coumarin lower than recommended. The syrup consumption per 1,000 inhabitants ranged from 0.3 to 36.6 bottles, and the monthly cost per municipality varied from $0.50 to $247.78. Only five prescribers (21.7%) were familiar with the herbal medicines in RENAME, and only one had formal training for prescribing herbal medicines, highlighting the need for instruction and dissemination of programs for using herbal medicines.
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spelling doaj-art-e973cfccb8024ae9bbafa8bf8ceb44352025-01-21T07:42:31ZengUniversidade de São PauloBrazilian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences2175-97902025-01-016110.1590/s2175-97902025e23956Use of guaco (Mikania glomerata) in primary health care in Rio Grande do Sul/BrazilLidiane dos Santoshttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-8008-7908Diogo Pilgerhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-8171-2688Aline Rigon Zimmerhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-8309-7068Abstract Mikania glomerata (guaco) is included in Brazil’s National List of Essential Drugs (RENAME) with expectorant and bronchodilator indications. This research aims to describe the profile of patients and prescribers of guaco-based herbal medicines within the Unified Health System in the municipalities of Rio Grande do Sul (RS)/Brazil, quantify the consumption and cost of this product, and assess the prescriber’s experience with guaco and herbal medicine. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted based on questionnaires applied to prescribers and guaco usage data in primary care in RS municipalities (May 1, 2020 - April 30, 2021). 44 municipalities (40%) were identified dispensing guaco syrup in the sample. The results showed a prevalence of women users (57.4%) and patients between 19 and 59 years of age (58.2%). All participating prescribers were physicians, and 37% of the responses indicated daily doses of coumarin lower than recommended. The syrup consumption per 1,000 inhabitants ranged from 0.3 to 36.6 bottles, and the monthly cost per municipality varied from $0.50 to $247.78. Only five prescribers (21.7%) were familiar with the herbal medicines in RENAME, and only one had formal training for prescribing herbal medicines, highlighting the need for instruction and dissemination of programs for using herbal medicines.http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1984-82502025000100309&lng=en&tlng=enMikania glomerataGuacoHerbal medicinesUnified Health SystemPhytotherapy
spellingShingle Lidiane dos Santos
Diogo Pilger
Aline Rigon Zimmer
Use of guaco (Mikania glomerata) in primary health care in Rio Grande do Sul/Brazil
Brazilian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Mikania glomerata
Guaco
Herbal medicines
Unified Health System
Phytotherapy
title Use of guaco (Mikania glomerata) in primary health care in Rio Grande do Sul/Brazil
title_full Use of guaco (Mikania glomerata) in primary health care in Rio Grande do Sul/Brazil
title_fullStr Use of guaco (Mikania glomerata) in primary health care in Rio Grande do Sul/Brazil
title_full_unstemmed Use of guaco (Mikania glomerata) in primary health care in Rio Grande do Sul/Brazil
title_short Use of guaco (Mikania glomerata) in primary health care in Rio Grande do Sul/Brazil
title_sort use of guaco mikania glomerata in primary health care in rio grande do sul brazil
topic Mikania glomerata
Guaco
Herbal medicines
Unified Health System
Phytotherapy
url http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1984-82502025000100309&lng=en&tlng=en
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AT diogopilger useofguacomikaniaglomeratainprimaryhealthcareinriograndedosulbrazil
AT alinerigonzimmer useofguacomikaniaglomeratainprimaryhealthcareinriograndedosulbrazil