Overview

Strophanthus is an herb. It has been used as an arrow poison in Africa. Strophanthus seeds are used to make medicine.

Despite serious safety concerns, people take strophanthus for diabetes, heart problems, and high blood pressure, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

How does it work ?

Strophanthus contains chemicals that can stimulate the heart and lower blood sugar.

Strophanthus contains chemicals that can stimulate the heart and lower blood sugar.

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Insufficient Evidence for

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of strophanthus for these uses.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Strophanthus is UNSAFE for use without the direct supervision of a healthcare provider. It can cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, headache, disturbance of color vision, and heart problems.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Strophanthus is UNSAFE for use without the direct supervision of a healthcare provider. It can cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, headache, disturbance of color vision, and heart problems. Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It's UNSAFE to use strophanthus if you are pregnant. It might make the uterus contract, and this could cause a miscarriage. It's also UNSAFE to use strophanthus if you are breast-feeding.

Heart conditions: Strophanthus may cause irregular heartbeat. Don't use strophanthus if you have a heart condition, without the direct supervision of a healthcare provider.

Interactions ?

    Major Interaction

    Do not take this combination

  • Quinidine interacts with STROPHANTHUS

    Strophanthus can affect the heart. Quinidine can also affect the heart. Taking quinidine along with strophanthus might cause serious heart problems.

  • Quinine interacts with STROPHANTHUS

    Strophanthus can affect the heart. Quinine can also affect the heart. Taking quinine along with strophanthus might cause serious heart problems.

    Moderate Interaction

    Be cautious with this combination

  • Digoxin (Lanoxin) interacts with STROPHANTHUS

    Digoxin (Lanoxin) helps the heart beat more strongly. Strophanthus also seems to affect the heart. Taking strophanthus along with digoxin can increase the effects of digoxin and increase the risk of side effects. Do not take strophanthus if you are taking digoxin (Lanoxin) without talking to your healthcare professional.

  • Medications for inflammation (Corticosteroids) interacts with STROPHANTHUS

    Strophanthus might affect the heart. Some medications for inflammation can decrease potassium in the body. Low potassium levels can also affect the heart and increase the risk of side effects from strophanthus.

    Some medications for inflammation include dexamethasone (Decadron), hydrocortisone (Cortef), methylprednisolone (Medrol), prednisone (Deltasone), and others.

  • Stimulant laxatives interacts with STROPHANTHUS

    Strophanthus can affect the heart. The heart uses potassium. Laxatives called stimulant laxatives can decrease potassium levels in the body. Low potassium levels can increase the chance of side effects from strophanthus.

    Some stimulant laxatives include bisacodyl (Correctol, Dulcolax), cascara, castor oil (Purge), senna (Senokot), and others.

  • Water pills (Diuretic drugs) interacts with STROPHANTHUS

    Strophanthus might affect the heart. "Water pills" can decrease potassium in the body. Low potassium levels can also affect the heart and increase the risk of side effects from strophanthus.

    Some "water pills" that can deplete potassium include chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Thalitone), furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril, Microzide), and others.

Dosing

The appropriate dose of strophanthus depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for strophanthus. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

View References

CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2020.