Overview

Oregon grape is a plant. The bark, root, and root-like stem (rhizome) are used to make medicine.

Oregon grape is used for scaly, itchy skin (psoriasis), eczema (atopic dermatitis), stomach problems, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

How does it work ?

The chemicals in Oregon grape might help fight bacterial and fungal infections. Oregon grape may also slow the overproduction of skin cells in diseases such as psoriasis.

The chemicals in Oregon grape might help fight bacterial and fungal infections. Oregon grape may also slow the overproduction of skin cells in diseases such as psoriasis.

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Possibly Effective for

  • Scaly, itchy skin (psoriasis). Some evidence suggests that applying a specific 10% Oregon grape extract cream (Relieva by Apollo Pharmaceutical) can reduce the severity of psoriasis and improve quality of life for people who have psoriasis. It might be as effective as the medicationcalcipotriene (Dovonex) cream for some people.

Insufficient Evidence for

  • Eczema (atopic dermatitis). Early research suggests that applying a specific Oregon grape extract cream (Relieva by Apolla Pharmaceutical) for 12 weeks might improve the severity and area of itchy and inflamed skin in people with a skin condition called eczema.
  • Stomach ulcers.
  • Heartburn.
  • Stomach upset.
  • Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of Oregon grape for these uses.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Oregon grape is LIKELY SAFE when taken in the amounts found in foods. There isn't enough reliable information to know if Oregon grape is safe to use in medicinal amounts or what the side effects might be.

When applied to the skin: Oregon grape cream is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when applied directly to the skin. It can cause some side effects such as itching, burning, irritation, and allergic reactions.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Oregon grape is LIKELY SAFE when taken in the amounts found in foods. There isn't enough reliable information to know if Oregon grape is safe to use in medicinal amounts or what the side effects might be.

When applied to the skin: Oregon grape cream is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when applied directly to the skin. It can cause some side effects such as itching, burning, irritation, and allergic reactions.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It's LIKELY UNSAFE to use Oregon grape if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. One of the chemicals in Oregon grape, berberine, may cross the placenta and might cause harm to the fetus. It can also be transferred to the infant through breast milk. Brain damage (kernicterus) has been reported in newborn infants exposed to berberine.

Children: It's LIKELY UNSAFE to give Oregon grape to infants. The berberine in Oregon grape can cause brain damage (kernicterus) in newborns, particularly premature newborns who have jaundice. Jaundice is a condition in which there is yellowing of the eyes and skin caused by bile pigments in the blood. There isn't enough reliable information to know if Oregon grape is safe to give to older children. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Diabetes: Oregon grape can lower blood sugar. Oregon grape may cause blood sugar to become too low in people who are also taking antidiabetes medications. Use with caution.

Low blood pressure: Oregon grape can lower blood pressure. Oregon grape might increase the risk of blood pressure becoming too low in people who already have low blood pressure. Use with caution.

Interactions ?

    Moderate Interaction

    Be cautious with this combination

  • Cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune) interacts with OREGON GRAPE

    The body breaks down cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune) to get rid of it. Oregon grape might decrease how fast the body breaks down cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune). This might cause there to be too much cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune) in the body and potentially cause side effects.

  • Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates) interacts with OREGON GRAPE

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

    Some medications changed by the liver include cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), lovastatin (Mevacor), clarithromycin (Biaxin), indinavir (Crixivan), sildenafil (Viagra), triazolam (Halcion), and many others.

  • Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) substrates) interacts with OREGON GRAPE

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

    Some medications changed by the liver include celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac (Voltaren), fluvastatin (Lescol), glipizide (Glucotrol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), irbesartan (Avapro), losartan (Cozaar), phenytoin (Dilantin), piroxicam (Feldene), tamoxifen (Nolvadex), tolbutamide (Tolinase), torsemide (Demadex), and S-warfarin (Coumadin).

  • Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) substrates) interacts with OREGON GRAPE

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

    Some medications changed by the liver include amitriptyline (Elavil), codeine, desipramine (Norpramin), flecainide (Tambocor), haloperidol (Haldol), imipramine (Tofranil), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), ondansetron (Zofran), paroxetine (Paxil), risperidone (Risperdal), tramadol (Ultram), venlafaxine (Effexor), and others.

  • Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with OREGON GRAPE

    Oregon grape might lower blood sugar. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar. Taking Oregon grape along with diabetes medications might cause your blood sugar to go 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), and others.

  • Medications for high blood pressure (Antihypertensive drugs) interacts with OREGON GRAPE

    Oregon grape might decrease blood pressure in some people. Taking Oregon grape along with medications used to lower 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.

  • Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with OREGON GRAPE

    Oregon grape might slow blood clotting. Taking Oregon grape along with medications that also slow clotting might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding.

    Some medications that slow blood clotting include aspirin, cilostazol (Pletal), clopidogrel (Plavix), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, ticlopidine (Ticlid), and others.

  • Sedative medications (CNS depressants) interacts with OREGON GRAPE

    Oregon grape might cause sleepiness and drowsiness. Medications that cause sleepiness are called sedatives. Taking Oregon grape along with sedative medications might cause too much sleepiness.

    Some sedative medications include benzodiazepines, pentobarbital (Nembutal), phenobarbital (Luminal), secobarbital (Seconal), thiopental (Pentothal), fentanyl (Duragesic, Sublimaze), morphine, propofol (Diprivan), and others.

Dosing

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

APPLIED TO THE SKIN:
  • For scaly, itchy skin (psoriasis): A specific 10% Oregon grape bark extract cream (Relieva, Apolla Pharmaceutical) is applied to affected areas 2-3 times daily.
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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.