What is echinacea?
The use of echinacea in cultural and traditional settings may differ from concepts
accepted by current Western medicine. When considering the use of herbal supplements,
consultation with a primary health care professional is advisable. Additionally, consultation with
a practitioner trained in the uses of herbal/health supplements may be beneficial, and
coordination of treatment among all health care providers involved may be advantageous.
Echinacea is also known as the American cone flower, black Susan, black Sampson,
comb flower, hedgehog, Indian head, Kansas snakeroot, narrow-leaved purple coneflower,
scurvy root, and snakeroot.
Echinacea has been used orally to stimulate the immune system of the body. Echinacea is
most commonly used in the treatment of the common cold. Echinacea is also used topically in
the treatment of wounds and burns.
Echinacea has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or purity. All
potential risks and/or advantages of echinacea may not be known. Additionally, there are no
regulated manufacturing standards in place for these compounds. There have been instances
where herbal/health supplements have been sold which were contaminated with toxic metals or
other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize
the risk of contamination.
Echinacea may also have uses other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking echinacea?
Echinacea is not recommended for use by people with multiple sclerosis, white blood
cell disorders, collagen disorders, HIV/AIDS, autoimmune disorders, or tuberculosis.
Before taking echinacea, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care professional if you
have allergies (especially to plants), have any medical condition, or if you take other medicines
or other herbal/health supplements. Echinacea may not be recommended in some situations.
Do not
take echinacea without first talking to your doctor if you are
pregnant or could become pregnant. It is not known whether echinacea will harm an unborn
baby.
Do not
take echinacea without first talking to your doctor if you are
breast-feeding a baby. It is also not known whether echinacea will harm a nursing infant.
There is no information available regarding the use of echinacea by children. Do not
give any herbal/health supplement to a child without first talking to the child's doctor.
How should I take echinacea?
The use of echinacea in cultural and traditional settings may differ from concepts
accepted by current Western medicine. When considering the use of herbal supplements,
consultation with a primary health care professional is advisable. Additionally, consultation with
a practitioner trained in the uses of herbal/health supplements may be beneficial, and
coordination of treatment among all health care providers involved may be advantageous.
If you choose to take echinacea, use it as directed on the package or as directed by your
doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
When echinacea is being used for symptoms of the common cold, it should be started as
soon as the symptoms are noticed. Also, three weeks of treatment with echinacea, followed by
one week without the echinacea may provide the best results.
Standardized extracts, tinctures, and solid formulations of herbal/health supplements may
provide a more reliable dose of the product.
Take the pill forms of echinacea with a full glass of water.
To ensure the correct dose, measure the liquid forms of echinacea with the dropper
provided or with a dose-measuring spoon or cup.
Some forms of echinacea can be brewed to form a tea for drinking.
Use the topical forms of echinacea externally only.
Do not use different formulations (e.g., tablets, topical formulations, teas, tinctures,
and others) of echinacea at the same time, unless specifically directed to do so by a health care
professional. Using different formulations together increases the risk of an overdose of
echinacea.
Store echinacea as directed on the package. In general, echinacea should be protected
from light.
What happens if I miss a dose of echinacea?
No information is available regarding a missed dose of echinacea. Consult your doctor,
pharmacist, or health care professional if you require further information.
Where can I get more information about echinacea?
Your pharmacist has information about echinacea written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of echinacea?
Although uncommon, allergic reactions to echinacea have been reported. Stop taking
echinacea and seek emergency medical attention if you experience symptoms of a serious
allergic reaction including difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips,
tongue, or face; or hives.
Other less serious side effects have also been infrequently reported. Talk to your doctor or
pharmacist if you experience
-
a fever, or
-
nausea or vomiting.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your
doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about echinacea?
Echinacea is not recommended for use by people with multiple sclerosis, white blood
cell disorders, collagen disorders, HIV/AIDS, autoimmune disorders, or tuberculosis.
Echinacea has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or purity. All
potential risks and/or advantages of echinacea may not be known. Additionally, there are no
regulated manufacturing standards in place for these compounds. There have been instances
where herbal/health supplements have been sold which were contaminated with toxic metals or
other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize
the risk of contamination.
What should I avoid while taking echinacea?
There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while taking echinacea, unless
otherwise directed by your health care provider.
What other drugs will affect echinacea?
Echinacea may alter the actions of other medicines that affect your immune system.
Before taking echinacea, tell your doctor if you are taking
-
a steroid medicine including betamethasone (Celestone),
dexamethasone (Hexadrol, Decadron, others), cortisone (Cortone), hydrocortisone (Cortef,
Hydrocortone, others), methylprednisolone (Medrol, Solu-Medrol, others), prednisone
(Deltasone, Orasone, others), prednisolone (Prelone, Pediapred, others), triamcinolone
(Aristocort, others), and others; or
-
cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), tacrolimus (Prograf),
azathioprine (Imuran), methotrexate (Rheumatrex), or other immune system suppressants.
You may not be able to take echinacea, or you may require a dosage
adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed
above.
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with echinacea. Talk to your doctor,
pharmacist, or health care professional before taking any prescription or over-the-counter
medicines or other herbal/health supplements.
What happens if I have an overdose of echinacea?
