Cat's claw

Generic name: Cat's Claw (CATS CLAW)
Drug class: Herbal products

Usage of Cat's claw

Cat's claw is a plant that is also known as Griffe Du Chat, Liane du Pérou, Life-Giving Vine of Peru, Samento, Uña De Gato.

Cat's claw has been used in alternative medicine as a possibly effective aid in treating arthritis. People with either osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis have used cat's claw. Different forms of cat's claw may be specific to treating each type of arthritis. Follow your healthcare provider's instructions about which form to use.

Other uses not proven with research have included stomach and intestinal disorders, hemorrhoids, chronic fatigue syndrome, herpes, shingles, chickenpox, hay fever, and many other conditions.

It is not certain whether cat's claw is effective in treating any medical condition. Medicinal use of cat's claw has not been approved by the FDA. Cat's claw should not be used in place of medication prescribed for you by your doctor.

Cat's claw is often sold as an herbal supplement. There are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for many herbal compounds and some marketed supplements have been found to be contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.

Cat's claw may also be used for purposes not listed in this product guide.

Cat's claw side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Although not all side effects are known, cat's claw is thought to be possibly safe when taken for a short period of time.

Common side effects of cat's claw may include:

dizziness;

headaches; or

vomiting.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Cat's claw

Ask a doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider if it is safe for you to use this product if you have:

an autoimmune disorder such as multiple sclerosis, lupus, or psoriasis;

leukemia; or

low blood pressure.

Do not use cat's claw if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether cat's claw passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this product.

Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without medical advice.

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Warnings

Follow all directions on the product label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

What other drugs will affect Cat's claw

Do not take cat's claw without medical advice if you are using a medication to treat any of the following conditions:

any type of infection (including HIV, malaria, or tuberculosis);

anxiety or depression;

asthma or allergies;

cancer;

erectile dysfunction;

heartburn or GERD;

high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or a heart condition;

migraine headaches;

psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, or other autoimmune disorders;

a psyChiatric disorder; or

seizures.

Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with cat's claw, especially:

birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy; or

drugs that weaken the immune system such as cancer medicine, steroids, and medicines to prevent organ transplant rejection.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with cat's claw, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.