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

Overview

Calamus is a plant. The root (rhizome) is used to make medicine.

Despite safety concerns, calamus is commonly used for stomach problems, skin problems, earache, and to remove the smell of tobacco, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

In foods, calamus is used as a spice.

How does it work ?

It is thought that chemicals in calamus cause muscle relaxation and sleepiness. These chemicals might also reduce swelling, kill cancer cells, and kill insects.

Interactions ?

Moderate Interaction

Be cautious with this combination

Medications for depression (MAOIs) interacts with CALAMUS
Calamus contains a chemical that affects the body. This chemical might increase the side effects of some medications used for depression.Some of these medications used for depression include phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), and others.
Sedative medications (CNS depressants) interacts with CALAMUS
Calamus might cause sleepiness and drowsiness. Medications that cause sleepiness are called sedatives. Taking calamus along with sedative medications might cause too much sleepiness.Some sedative medications include clonazepam (Klonopin), lorazepam (Ativan), phenobarbital (Donnatal), zolpidem (Ambien), and others.

Minor Interaction

Be watchful with this combination

Antacids interacts with CALAMUS
Antacids are used to decrease stomach acid. Calamus may increase stomach acid. By increasing stomach acid, calamus might decrease the effectiveness of antacids.Some antacids include calcium carbonate (Tums, others), dihydroxyaluminum sodium carbonate (Rolaids, others), magaldrate (Riopan), magnesium sulfate (Bilagog), aluminum hydroxide (Amphojel), and others.
Medications that decrease stomach acid (H2-Blockers) interacts with CALAMUS
Calamus might increase stomach acid. By increasing stomach acid, calamus might decrease the effectiveness of some medications that decrease stomach acid, called H2-Blockers.Some medications that decrease stomach acid include cimetidine (Tagamet), ranitidine (Zantac), nizatidine (Axid), and famotidine (Pepcid).
Medications that decrease stomach acid (Proton pump inhibitors) interacts with CALAMUS
Calamus might increase stomach acid. By increasing stomach acid, calamus might decrease the effectiveness of medications that are used to decrease stomach acid, called proton pump inhibitors.Some medications that decrease stomach acid include omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), rabeprazole (Aciphex), pantoprazole (Protonix), and esomeprazole (Nexium).

View References

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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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CALAMUS

Overview

How does it work ?

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Insufficient Evidence for

Side Effects

Special Precautions and Warnings

Interactions ?

Moderate Interaction

Medications for depression (MAOIs) interacts with CALAMUS

Sedative medications (CNS depressants) interacts with CALAMUS

Minor Interaction

Antacids interacts with CALAMUS

Medications that decrease stomach acid (H2-Blockers) interacts with CALAMUS

Medications that decrease stomach acid (Proton pump inhibitors) interacts with CALAMUS

Dosing

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