Nettle

Generic name: Nettle
Drug class: Herbal products

Usage of Nettle

Nettle (or stinging nettle) is a plant also known as Bichu, Feuille d'Ortie, Graine d'Ortie, Grande Ortie, Ortie, Ortiga, Urtica, and other names.

Stinging nettle should not be confused with "white dead nettle" (Lamium album).

Nettle has been used in alternative medicine to treat hay fever, asthma, diarrhea, osteoarthritis, circulation problems, diabetes, fluid retention, symptoms of enlarged prostate, and other conditions. However, nettle has not been proven with research to be effective in treating these conditions.

It is not certain whether nettle is effective in treating any medical condition. Medicinal use of this product has not been approved by the FDA. Nettle should not be used in place of medication prescribed for you by your doctor.

Nettle 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.

Nettle may also be used for purposes not listed in this product guide.

Nettle 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, nettle is thought to be possibly safe when taken for a short period of time (no longer than 6 months).

Common side effects of nettle may include:

sweating;

skin irritation; or

stomach discomfort.

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 Nettle

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

high blood pressure;

diabetes;

kidney disease; or

a bleeding or blood clotting disorder (some parts of the nettle plant contain large amounts of vitamin K, which affects blood-clotting).

It is not known whether nettle will harm an unborn baby. However, taking nettle during pregnancy may stimulate uterine contractions and could increase your risk of miscarriage. Do not use this product if you are pregnant.

It is not known whether nettle passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this product without medical advice if you are breast-feeding a baby.

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 Nettle

Taking nettle with any medicines that make you sleepy can worsen this effect. Ask your doctor before taking nettle with a sleeping pill, narcotic pain medicine, muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or seizures.

Do not take nettle without medical advice if you are using any of the following medications:

lithium;

blood pressure medication;

insulin or oral diabetes medicine; or

warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven).

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with nettle, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this product 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.

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