PERIWINKLE: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Periwinkle is an herb. The parts that grow above the ground are used to make medicine. Don't confuse periwinkle with Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus).

Despite serious safety concerns, people use periwinkle for memory and thinking, diarrhea, vaginal discharge, sore throat, and toothache, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

How does it work ?

Periwinkle can lower blood pressure. It can also help reduce swelling (inflammation) and have a drying (astringent) effect on the tissues.

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Insufficient Evidence for

Tonsillitis.
Sore throat.
Intestinal swelling (inflammation).
Toothache.
Chest pain.
Wounds.
High blood pressure.
Other conditions.

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

Side Effects

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Periwinkle is UNSAFE. It can cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and other stomach and intestinal symptoms. It can also cause nerve, kidney, and liver damage. Large amounts can cause very low blood pressure. Periwinkle is UNSAFE for anyone to use, but people with certain conditions are especially at risk for harmful side effects.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Periwinkle is UNSAFE. Don't use it.

Constipation: Periwinkle has a drying effect on tissues. This means it can make constipation worse. Don't use it.

Low blood pressure: Periwinkle can lower blood pressure. If you already have low blood pressure, using periwinkle can make it drop too low. Don't use it.

Surgery: Periwinkle can lower blood pressure. There is a concern that it might interfere with blood pressure control during and after surgery. Stop using periwinkle at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Interactions ?

Moderate Interaction

Be cautious with this combination

Medications for high blood pressure (Antihypertensive drugs) interacts with PERIWINKLE
Periwinkle seems to decrease blood pressure. Taking periwinkle along with medications for high blood pressure might cause your blood pressure to go too low.

Some medications for high blood pressure include captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), losartan (Cozaar), valsartan (Diovan), diltiazem (Cardizem), Amlodipine (Norvasc), hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDiuril), furosemide (Lasix), and many others.

Dosing

The appropriate dose of periwinkle 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 periwinkle. 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

REFERENCES:

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Ena, J., Garcia, A., and de Mar, Masia M. Vincristine as therapy for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus. Clin.Infect.Dis. 1996;22(5):880-881. View abstract.

Fenaux, P., Quiquandon, I., Caulier, M. T., Simon, M., Walter, M. P., and Bauters, F. Slow infusions of vinblastine in the treatment of adult idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura: a report on 43 cases. Blut 1990;60(4):238-241. View abstract.

Fischhof, P. K., Moslinger-Gehmayr, R., Herrmann, W. M., Friedmann, A., and Russmann, D. L. Therapeutic efficacy of vincamine in dementia. Neuropsychobiology 1996;34(1):29-35. View abstract.

Gross, Z., Rodriguez, J. J., and Stalnaker, B. L. Vincristine for refractory autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura in pregnancy. A case report. J.Reprod.Med. 1995;40(10):739-742. View abstract.

Hirsh, V., Desjardins, P., Needles, B. M., Rigas, J. R., Jahanzeb, M., Nguyen, L., Zembryki, D., and Leopold, L. H. Oral versus intravenous administration of vinorelbine as a single agent for the first-line treatment of metastatic nonsmall cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC): A randomized phase II trial. Am.J.Clin.Oncol. 2007;30(3):245-251. View abstract.

Jacquillat, C. and Weil, M. [Periwinkle alkaloids. Treatment of Hodgkin's disease and leukemia]. Sem.Ther. 1964;40(6):395-400. View abstract.

Karpati, E., Biro, K., and Kukorelli, T. [Investigation of vasoactive agents with indole skeletons at Richter Ltd.]. Acta Pharm.Hung. 2002;72(1):25-36. View abstract.

Krainer, M., Tomek, S., Elandt, K., Horak, P., Albrecht, W., Eisenmenger, M., Holtl, W., Schramek, P., Stackl, W., Zielinski, C., and Reibenwein, J. A prospective, open label, randomized phase II trial of weekly docetaxel versus weekly vinorelbine as first line chemotherapy in patients with androgen independent prostate cancer. J.Urol. 2007;177(6):2141-2145. View abstract.

Mans, D. R., da Rocha, A. B., and Schwartsmann, G. Anti-cancer drug discovery and development in Brazil: targeted plant collection as a rational strategy to acquire candidate anti-cancer compounds. Oncologist. 2000;5(3):185-198. View abstract.

Mukhopadhyay, S., El-Sayed, A., Handy, G. A., and Cordell, G. A. Catharanthus alkaloids XXXVII. 16-Epi-Z-isositsirikine, a monomeric indole alkaloid with antineoplastic activity from Catharanthus roseus and Rhazya stricta. J.Nat.Prod. 1983;46(3):409-413. View abstract.

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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.

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PERIWINKLE - Uses, Side Effects, and More

Overview

How does it work ?

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Insufficient Evidence for

Side Effects

Special Precautions and Warnings

Interactions ?

Moderate Interaction

Medications for high blood pressure (Antihypertensive drugs) interacts with PERIWINKLE

Dosing

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PERIWINKLE - Uses, Side Effects, and More

Overview

How does it work ?

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Insufficient Evidence for

Side Effects

Special Precautions and Warnings

Interactions ?

Moderate Interaction

Medications for high blood pressure (Antihypertensive drugs) interacts with PERIWINKLE

Dosing

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