Overview
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 ?
Uses & Effectiveness ?
Insufficient Evidence for
- Ulcers.
- Gas.
- Upset stomach.
- Colic.
- Diarrhea.
- Increasing appetite.
- Infection of the intestines.
- To induce vomiting or sweating.
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
- Diabetes.
- Fever.
- Lung problems.
- Kidney problems.
- Liver problems.
- Depression.
- Seizures.
- Obesity.
- Arthritis.
- Headache.
- Memory problems.
- Hemorrhoids.
- Earache.
- Removing smell of tobacco from the mouth.
- Toothache.
- Strokes.
- Skin disorders.
- Other conditions.
Side Effects
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if calamus is safe or what the side effects might be.
Special Precautions and Warnings
Heart conditions: Calamus might lower blood pressure and heart rate. In theory, large amounts of calamus might worsen heart problems in some people with heart conditions.
Low blood pressure: Calamus might lower blood pressure. In theory, taking calamus might make blood pressure become too low in people with low blood pressure.
Surgery: Calamus can affect the central nervous system. It might cause too much sleepiness if combined with medications used during and after surgery. If you are using calamus despite safety concerns, stop using it at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Interactions ?
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.Drying medications (Anticholinergic drugs) interacts with CALAMUS
Calamus might increase levels of certain chemical in the body that work in the brain, heart, and elsewhere. Some drying medications called "anticholinergic drugs" can also increase these chemicals, but in a different way. These drying medications might decrease the effects of calamus, and calamus might decrease the effects of drying medications.
Some of these drying medications include atropine, scopolamine, some medications used for allergies (antihistamines), and some medications used for depression (antidepressants).Medications for high blood pressure (Antihypertensive drugs) interacts with CALAMUS
Calamus might reduce blood pressure. Taking calamus along with medications used for lowering high blood pressure might cause your blood pressure to go too low. Do not take too much calamus if you are taking medications for high blood pressure.
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.Various medications used for glaucoma, Alzheimer disease, and other conditions (Cholinergic drugs) interacts with CALAMUS
Calamus might increase certain chemicals in the brain, heart, and elsewhere in the body. Some medications used for glaucoma, Alzheimer disease, and other conditions also affect these chemicals. Taking calamus with these medications might increase the chance of side effects.
Some of these medications for glaucoma, Alzheimer disease, and other conditions include pilocarpine (Pilocar and others), donepezil (Aricept), tacrine (Cognex), and others.Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) substrates) interacts with CALAMUS
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Although this has not been shown in humans, calamus might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking calamus along with some medications that are broken down by the liver can increase the effects and side effects of these medications. Before taking calamus, 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 changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates) interacts with CALAMUS
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Although this has not been shown in humans, calamus might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking calamus along with some medications that are broken down by the liver can increase the effects and side effects of these medications. Before taking clamus, 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.
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious 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).
Minor Interaction
Be watchful with this combination
Dosing
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