Overview

Annatto is a plant. The seed, leaf, and root are used to make medicine.

Annatto is used for enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH), diabetes, stomach problems, skin problems, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

In foods, annatto is used as a coloring agent.

How does it work ?

Annatto contains chemicals that might act as antioxidants or kill bacteria. Also, some chemicals in annatto might change the way the body uses sugar.

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Insufficient Evidence for

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

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Annatto seed extract is LIKELY SAFE for most people when used in food amounts. The leaf powder is POSSIBLY SAFE when used at doses of up to 750 mg daily for 12 months. There isn't enough reliable information to know if annatto seed is safe to use in the larger amounts found in medicine or what the side effects might be.

When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if annatto is safe or what the side effects might be.

When applied into the eyes: There isn't enough reliable information to know if annatto is safe or what the side effects might be.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Annatto seed extract is LIKELY SAFE for most people when used in food amounts. The leaf powder is POSSIBLY SAFE when used at doses of up to 750 mg daily for 12 months. There isn't enough reliable information to know if annatto seed is safe to use in the larger amounts found in medicine or what the side effects might be.

When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if annatto is safe or what the side effects might be.

When applied into the eyes: There isn't enough reliable information to know if annatto is safe or what the side effects might be. Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if annatto is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Diabetes: Annatto might increase or decrease blood sugar levels. Monitor your blood sugar carefully if you have diabetes and use annatto as a medicine. The dose of your diabetes medication may need to be changed.

Surgery: Annatto might affect blood sugar levels. This has raised some concern that it might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop using annatto as a medicine at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Interactions ?

    Moderate Interaction

    Be cautious with this combination

  • Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with ANNATTO

    Annatto might increase or decrease blood sugar. Diabetes medications are used to lower blood sugar. By increasing or decreasing blood sugar, annatto might decrease the effectiveness of diabetes medications or increase the risk of your blood sugar going too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your diabetes medication might need to be changed.

    Some medications used for diabetes include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase), and others.

  • Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) substrates) interacts with ANNATTO

    Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Annatto might increase how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking annatto along with some medications that are broken down by the liver might decrease the effectiveness of some medications. Before taking annatto, talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking any medications that are changed by the liver.

    Medications that might be affected include chlorzoxazone, theophylline, and bufuralol.

Dosing

The appropriate dose of annatto 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 annatto. 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.

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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.