ECHINACEA (Echinacea sp.) - ORAL
Information last revised September 2010
What does ECHINACEA - ORAL look like?
echinacea 125 mg Tab
echinacea 400 mg Cap
echinacea 400 mg Cap
Uses:
Echinacea has been used for virus infections such as the common cold and flu. It is used to strengthen the immune system. It has also been used for returning vaginal fungal infections ("yeast infections") along with antifungal products applied to the vaginal area. 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, take 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 on the product package. If you are uncertain about any of the information, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Prolonged use may lessen the effects of this product. It is recommended that this product be used for no more than 8 weeks at a time. If your condition persists or worsens, or if you think you may have a serious medical problem, seek immediate medical attention.
Drug Interactions
Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first. Tell your doctor of all prescription and nonprescription medication you may use, especially of: drugs that affect the immune system (e.g., azathioprine, cyclosporine, sirolimus, tacrolimus), corticosteroids (e.g., hydrocortisone, prednisone). If your product contains alcohol, do not use it in combination with metronidazole or disulfiram. This product may increase the effect of caffeine. Avoid drinking large amounts of beverages containing caffeine (coffee, tea, certain sodas) or eating large amounts of chocolate. 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.
Precautions
Before taking echinacea, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to plants in the Asteraceae/daisy family such as ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, and 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: asthma, cancer, immune system problems (autoimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus), infection with HIV or tuberculosis, organ transplant. 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. If there is alcohol in this product, it may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. (See also Drug Interactions section.) Limit alcoholic beverages. During pregnancy, this product should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is unknown if this product passes into breast milk. 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
Nausea, numbness/tingling of the lips/tongue, and an unpleasant taste in the mouth may occur. If these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor. A very serious allergic reaction to this product is rare. Your risk of an allergic reaction is higher if you have asthma, frequent allergic reactions/skin rashes, or hay fever. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction: 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.
Copyright 2010 First DataBank, Inc.
