Devil's Claw : Safety

by MedlinePlus

(Page 2 of 2)

Allergies

People with allergies to Harpagophytum procumbens should avoid devil's claw products.

Side Effects and Warnings

At recommended doses, devil's claw is traditionally believed to be well tolerated. Whether use of devil's claw for longer than 3-4 months is safe or effective is unknown.

There are reports of headache, ringing in the ears, loss of taste and appetite, and diarrhea in those taking this herb. Devil's claw may affect levels of acid in the gastrointestinal tract and should be avoided by people with gastric (stomach) or duodenal (intestinal) ulcers. Devil's claw should be used cautiously in patients with gallstones.

Devil's claw may change the rate and force of heartbeats (chronotropic and inotropic effects). Individuals with heart disease or arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms) should consult their cardiologist or primary care physician before taking devil's claw.

In theory, devil's claw may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised in patients with diabetes or hypoglycemia, and in those taking drugs, herbs, or supplements that affect blood sugar. Serum glucose levels may need to be monitored by a healthcare provider, and medication adjustments may be necessary.

In theory, devil's claw may increase the risk of bleeding. Caution is advised in patients with bleeding disorders or taking drugs that may increase the risk of bleeding. Dosing adjustments may be necessary. Patients may need to stop taking devil's claw before some surgeries, and should discuss this with their primary healthcare provider.

Devil's claw products may be contaminated with other herbs, pesticides, herbicides, heavy metals, or drugs.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Devil's claw may stimulate contractions of the uterus and cannot be recommended during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Patients should be aware that many tinctures contain high levels of alcohol and should be avoided during pregnancy.

Interactions

Most herbs and supplements have not been thoroughly tested for interactions with other herbs, supplements, drugs, or foods. The interactions listed below are based on reports in scientific publications, laboratory experiments, or traditional use. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy.

Interactions with Drugs

Devil's claw may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using medications that may also lower blood sugar. A qualified healthcare provider should monitor patients taking drugs for diabetes by mouth or insulin closely. Medication adjustments may be necessary.

In theory, devil's claw may have an additive effect if taken with drugs used for pain, inflammation, high cholesterol and gout.

Devil's claw may add to the effects of drugs that reduce cholesterol levels.

Devil's claw may increase stomach acidity and therefore may affect drugs used to decrease the amount of acid in the stomach, such as antacids, sucralfate, ranitidine (Zantac®) and esomeprazole (Nexium®). If you are taking any of these drugs, consult your health care provider or pharmacist before taking devil's claw.

Because devil's claw may affect heart rhythm, heart rate and the force of heartbeats, individuals taking prescription drugs such as antiarrhythmics or digoxin (Lanoxin®) should consult their health care provider before taking devil's claw.

In theory, devil's claw may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with drugs that increase the risk of bleeding. Some examples include aspirin, anticoagulants ("blood thinners") such as warfarin (Coumadin®) or heparin, anti-platelet drugs such as clopidogrel (Plavix®), and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Motrin®, Advil®) or naproxen (Naprosyn®, Aleve®).

Interactions with Herbs and Dietary Supplements

In theory, devil's claw may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using herbs or supplements that may also lower blood sugar. Blood glucose levels may require monitoring, and doses may need adjustment. Possible examples include: Aloe vera , American ginseng, bilberry, bitter melon, burdock,fenugreek, fish oil, gymnema, horse chestnut seed extract (HCSE), maitake mushroom, marshmallow, milk thistle, Panax ginseng, rosemary, shark cartilage, Siberian ginseng, stinging nettle and white horehound. Agents that may raise blood sugar levels include Arginine, cocoa, and ephedra (when combined with caffeine).

In theory, devil's claw may interfere with other herbs and dietary supplements that affect heart rhythm, heart rate and the force of heartbeats. Potential cardiac glycosides herbs and supplements include: adonis, balloon cotton, black hellebore root/melampode, black Indian hemp, bushman's poison, cactus grandifloris, convallaria, eyebright, figwort, foxglove/digitalis, frangipani, hedge mustard, hemp root/Canadian hemp root, king's crown, lily-of-the-valley, motherwort, oleander leaf, pheasant's eye plant, plantain leaf, pleurisy root; psyllium husks, redheaded cotton-bush, rhubarb root, rubber vine, sea-mango, senna fruit, squill, strophanthus, uzara, wallflower, wintersweet, yellow dock root, yellow oleander. Notably, bufalin/Chan Suis is a Chinese herbal formula that has been reported as toxic or fatal when taken with cardiac glycosides.

Devil's claw may add to the effects of herbs and dietary supplements that are used for pain or inflammation.

Devil's claw may reduce cholesterol concentrations, and may add to the lipid-lowering effects offish oil,garlic,guggul, orniacin.

In theory, devil's claw may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with herbs and supplements that are believed to increase the risk of bleeding. Multiple cases of bleeding have been reported with the use of Ginkgo biloba , and fewer cases with garlic and saw palmetto. Numerous other agents may theoretically increase the risk of bleeding, although this has not been proven in most cases. Some examples include: alfalfa, American ginseng, angelica, anise, Arnica montana , asafetida, aspen bark, bilberry, birch, black cohosh, bladderwrack, bogbean, boldo, borage seed oil, bromelain, capsicum, cat's claw, celery, chamomile, chaparral, clove, coleus, cordyceps, danshen, dong quai, EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid, found in fish oils), evening primrose oil, fenugreek, feverfew, fish oil, flaxseed/flax powder (not a concern with flaxseed oil), ginger, grapefruit juice, grapeseed, green tea, guggul, gymnestra, horse chestnut, horseradish, licorice root, lovage root, male fern, meadowsweet, nordihydroguairetic acid (NDGA), omega-3 fatty acids, onion, papain, panax ginseng, parsley, passionflower, poplar, prickly Ash, propolis, quassia, red clover, reishi, Siberian ginseng, sweet clover, rue, sweet birch, sweet clover, turmeric , vitamin E, white willow, wild carrot, wild lettuce, willow, wintergreen, and yucca.

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