DANDELION (Taraxacum officinale) - ORAL
Information last revised May 2010
Uses:
Dandelion has been used for gallbladder/liver disease, diabetes, and loss of appetite. It has also been used as a "water pill" (diuretic) and as a laxative. Some herbal/diet supplement products have been found to contain possibly harmful impurities/additives. Check with your pharmacist for more details about the brand you use. The FDA has not reviewed this product for safety or effectiveness. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.
How To Use
Take this product by mouth as directed. Follow all directions and warnings on the product package. If you are uncertain about any of the information, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Tell your doctor if your condition persists or worsens. If you think you may have a serious medical problem, seek immediate medical attention.
Drug Interactions
Before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: diabetes medications (e.g., glyburide, glipizide, insulin), drugs removed from your body by certain liver enzymes (e.g., amitriptyline, haloperidol, propranolol, theophylline), medications that may increase potassium blood levels (e.g., ACE inhibitors such as lisinopril/captopril), quinolone antibiotics (e.g., ciprofloxacin), "water pills" (diuretics such as furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, spironolactone). Do not take potassium supplements or salt substitutes that contain potassium without talking to your doctor or pharmacist first. This product can raise your potassium levels, an effect that can rarely cause serious side effects such as muscle weakness or very slow heartbeat. Tell your doctor immediately if these effects occur. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first. This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.
Notes
Keep all regular medical and laboratory appointments.
Overdose
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: muscle weakness, very slow heartbeat.
Precautions
Before taking dandelion, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other plants in the same family (e.g., ragweed, chrysanthemums, daisies); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. If you have any of the following health problems, consult your doctor or pharmacist before using this product: high levels of potassium in the blood, gallbladder problems (e.g., gallstones, bile duct blockage), diabetes, intestinal/stomach problems (e.g., ulcers, blockage). Liquid forms of this product may contain sugar and/or alcohol. Caution is advised if you have diabetes, alcohol dependence, or liver disease. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about using this product safely. Dandelion is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Consult your doctor for more details. It is not known whether this product passes into breast milk. Because of the possible risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using this product is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Storage
Refer to storage information printed on the package. If you have any questions about storage, ask your pharmacist. Keep all medications and herbal products away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.
Side Effects
Stomach upset or diarrhea may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, contact your doctor or pharmacist promptly. This product may lower your blood sugar. Tell your doctor immediately if you have symptoms of low blood sugar, including cold sweat, blurred vision, dizziness, shaking, fast heartbeat, tingling hands/feet. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
This is a summary and does NOT have all possible information about this product. This information does not assure that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you. This information is not individual medical advice and does not substitute for the advice of your health care professional. Always ask your health care professional for complete information about this product and your specific health needs.
The information contained in the First DataBank databases is intended to supplement the knowledge of physicians, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals regarding drug therapy problems and patient counselling information. This information is advisory only and is not intended to replace sound clinical judgment in the delivery of healthcare services. First DataBank disclaims all warranties, whether expressed or implied, including any warranty as to the quality, accuracy, and suitability of this information for any purpose.
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