CASCARA SAGRADA: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Cascara sagrada is a shrub. The dried bark is used to make medicine.

Cascara sagrada used to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an over-the-counter (OTC) drug for constipation. However, over the years, concerns were raised about cascara sagrada's safety and effectiveness. The FDA gave manufacturers the chance to submit safety and effectiveness information to answer these concerns. But the companies decided the cost of conducting safety and effectiveness studies would likely be more than the profit they could expect from sales of cascara sagrada. So they didn't comply with the request. As a result, the FDA notified manufacturers to remove or reformulate all OTC laxative products containing cascara sagrada from the U.S. market by November 5, 2002. Today, you can buy cascara sagrada as a "dietary supplement", but not as a drug. "Dietary supplements" don't have to meet the standards that the FDA applies to OTC or prescription drugs.

Cascara sagrada is commonly used by mouth as a laxative for constipation.

In foods and beverages, a bitterless extract of cascara sagrada is sometimes used as a flavoring agent.

In manufacturing, cascara sagrada is used in the processing of some sunscreens.

How does it work ?

Cascara sagrada contains chemicals that stimulate the bowel and have a laxative effect.

Interactions ?

Moderate Interaction

Be cautious with this combination

Digoxin (Lanoxin) interacts with CASCARA SAGRADA
Cascara is a type of laxative called a stimulant laxative. Stimulant laxatives can decrease potassium levels in the body. Low potassium levels can increase the risk of side effects of digoxin (Lanoxin).
Medications for inflammation (Corticosteroids) interacts with CASCARA SAGRADA
Some medications for inflammation can decrease potassium in the body. Cascara is a type of laxative that might also decrease potassium in the body. Taking cascara along with some medications for inflammation might decrease potassium in the body too much.

Some medications for inflammation include dexamethasone (Decadron), hydrocortisone (Cortef), methylprednisolone (Medrol), prednisone (Deltasone), and others.
Medications taken by mouth (Oral drugs) interacts with CASCARA SAGRADA
Cascara is a laxative. Laxatives can decrease how much medicine your body absorbs. Decreasing how much medicine your body absorbs can decrease the effectiveness of your medication.
Stimulant laxatives interacts with CASCARA SAGRADA
Cascara is a type of laxative called a stimulant laxative. Stimulant laxatives speed up the bowels. Taking cascara along with other stimulant laxatives could speed up the bowels too much and cause dehydration and low minerals in the body.

Some stimulant laxatives include bisacodyl (Correctol, Dulcolax), castor oil (Purge), senna (Senokot), and others.
Water pills (Diuretic drugs) interacts with CASCARA SAGRADA
Cascara is a laxative. Some laxatives can decrease potassium in the body. "Water pills" can also decrease potassium in the body. Taking cascara along with "water pills" might decrease potassium in the body too much.

Some "water pills" that can decrease potassium include chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Thalitone), furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril, Microzide), and others.
Warfarin (Coumadin) interacts with CASCARA SAGRADA
Cascara can work as a laxative. In some people cascara can cause diarrhea. Diarrhea can increase the effects of warfarin and increase the risk of bleeding. If you take warfarin do not to take excessive amounts of cascara.

View References

REFERENCES:

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CASCARA SAGRADA

Overview

How does it work ?

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Possibly Effective for

Possibly Ineffective for

Insufficient Evidence for

Side Effects

Special Precautions and Warnings

Interactions ?

Moderate Interaction

Digoxin (Lanoxin) interacts with CASCARA SAGRADA

Medications for inflammation (Corticosteroids) interacts with CASCARA SAGRADA

Medications taken by mouth (Oral drugs) interacts with CASCARA SAGRADA

Stimulant laxatives interacts with CASCARA SAGRADA

Water pills (Diuretic drugs) interacts with CASCARA SAGRADA

Warfarin (Coumadin) interacts with CASCARA SAGRADA

Dosing

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