What is feverfew?
The use of feverfew 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.
Feverfew is also known as Tanacetum parthenium, featherfew, bachelor's button, flirtwort,
altamisa, featherfoil, febrifuge plant, midsummer daisy, nosebleed, Santa Maria, wild chamomile,
and wild quinine.
Feverfew has been used to prevent migraine headaches. Feverfew has also been used in the
prevention and treatment of asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, painful menstrual periods, inflammatory
skin conditions such as psoriasis, toothache, and insect bites.
Feverfew has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or purity. All potential
risks and/or advantages of feverfew 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.
Feverfew may also have uses other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking feverfew?
Do not take feverfew if you have a known allergy or hypersensitivity to chamomile,
ragweed, yarrow, or other plants in the Asteraceae family. Also, do not take feverfew if you develop
a rash after touching the feverfew plant. You may be more likely to have a serious allergic reaction
to feverfew.
Do not take feverfew without first talking to your doctor if you have a bleeding or blood
clotting disorder; if you are taking a medicine to prevent blood clots; or if you are taking other
medications, herbs, antioxidants, or health supplements (these may also affect blood clotting).
Feverfew may affect the time it takes for your blood to clot.
Before taking feverfew, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care professional if you
have any other medical conditions, allergies (especially to plants), or if you take other medicines or
other herbal/health supplements. Feverfew may not be recommended in some situations.
Do not
take feverfew without first talking to your doctor if you are
pregnant or planning a pregnancy. Feverfew has been reported to have the potential to harm an
unborn baby.
Do not
take feverfew without first talking to your doctor if you are
breast-feeding a baby. It is not known whether feverfew will harm a nursing infant.
There is no information available regarding the use of feverfew by children. Do not give
any herbal/health supplement to a child without first talking to the child's doctor.
How should I take feverfew?
The use of feverfew 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 feverfew, use it as directed on the package or as directed by your
doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
Standardized extracts, tinctures, and solid formulations of herbal/health supplements may
provide a more reliable dose of the product.
Different formulations of feverfew are available to be used internally (orally) and externally
(topically).
Do not use different formulations (e.g., tablets, topical formulations, teas, tinctures, and
others) of feverfew 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 feverfew.
Store feverfew as directed on the package. In general, feverfew should be protected from
light and moisture and stored in a sealed container.
What happens if I miss a dose of feverfew?
No information is available regarding a missed dose of feverfew. Consult your doctor,
pharmacist, or health care professional if you require further information.
Where can I get more information about feverfew?
Your pharmacist has information about feverfew written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of feverfew?
Although uncommon, allergic reactions to feverfew have been reported. Stop taking
feverfew 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
Nervousness, tension headache, insomnia, stiffness and pain the joints,
and tiredness have been reported following the discontinuation of feverfew.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or
health care professional about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What is the most important information I should know about feverfew?
Do not take feverfew without first talking to your doctor if you have a bleeding or blood
clotting disorder; if you are taking a medicine to prevent blood clots; or if you are taking other
medications, herbs, antioxidants, or health supplements (these may also affect blood clotting).
Feverfew may affect the time it takes for your blood to clot.
Feverfew has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or purity. All potential
risks and/or advantages of feverfew 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 feverfew?
There are no known restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while taking feverfew, unless
otherwise directed by your health care professional.
What other drugs will affect feverfew?
Do not take feverfew without first talking to your doctor if you are taking any of the
following medicines:
-
warfarin (Coumadin);
-
aspirin;
-
a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) including
ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin, others), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Naprelan, Anaprox,
others), ketoprofen (Orudis KT, Orudis), indomethacin (Indocin), etodolac (Lodine), nabumetone
(Relafen), oxaprozin (Daypro), piroxicam (Feldene), sulindac (Clinoril), tolmetin (Tolectin), and
others;
-
ardeparin (Normiflo);
-
dalteparin (Fragmin);
-
danaparoid (Orgaran);
-
enoxaparin (Lovenox);
-
heparin; or
-
other herbs, antioxidants, or health supplements (these may
affect blood clotting).
You may not be able to take feverfew, 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 feverfew or affect your condition.
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 feverfew?
