Shark cartilage

Generic name: Shark Cartilage
Drug class: Herbal products

Usage of Shark cartilage

Shark cartilage comes from the skeletal tissues of sharks caught mostly in the Pacific Ocean. Shark cartilage is also known as AE-941, Cartilage de Requin, Cartilago de Tiburon, Collagène Marin, Extrait de Cartilage de Requin, Liquide de Cartilage Marin, Marine Collagen, Marine Liquid Cartilage, Neovastat, Poudre de Cartilage de Requin, Sphyrna lewini, Squalus acanthias, and other names.

Shark cartilage has also been used to treat cancer. However, research has shown that shark cartilage is not likely to be effective in treating advanced cancer.

Other uses not proven with research have included treating osteoarthritis, Kaposi's sarcoma, psoriasis, macular degeneration (age-related vision loss), and other conditions.

A specific product (Neovastat) containing shark cartilage extract prolonged survival time in some people with kidney cancer.

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

Shark cartilage 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.

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

Shark cartilage 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.

Stop using shark cartilage and call your healthcare provider at once if you have:

a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out; or

high blood sugar--increased thirst, increased urination, hunger, dry mouth, fruity breath odor, drowsiness, dry skin, blurred vision, weight loss.

Common side effects of shark cartilage may include:

nausea, vomiting, upset stomach;

constipation;

dizziness;

tired feeling; or

unusual or unpleasant taste in the mouth.

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 Shark cartilage

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

high levels of calcium in your blood (hypercalcemia).

It is not known whether shark cartilage will harm an unborn baby. Do not use this product without medical advice if you are pregnant.

It is not known whether shark cartilage 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 Shark cartilage

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

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 shark cartilage, 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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