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

Overview

Oleander (Nerium oleander) is a flowering shrub. It contains chemicals called toxic cardiac glycosides, which can lead to death when consumed.

The cardiac glycosides in oleander affect the heart. These chemicals can slow the heart rate down. Some of these chemicals might also kill cancer cells.

People use oleander for heart failure, cancer, epilepsy, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. There is also no good evidence to support using oleander for COVID-19. Oleander is unsafe to use.

Uses & Effectiveness ?

We currently have no information for OLEANDER overview.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Oleander is likely unsafe. Consuming oleander leaf, oleander leaf tea, or oleander seed has led to deadly poisonings.

When applied to the skin: Oleander is possibly unsafe. It can be absorbed into the body and cause serious side effects. Touching oleander sap can cause a rash.

Special Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Taking oleander by mouth is likely unsafe while pregnant or breast-feeding. It might cause an abortion or cause birth defects. There isn't enough reliable information to know if oleander is safe to apply to the skin. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Children: Oleander is likely unsafe when taken by mouth. Taking the oleander leaf, oleander leaf tea, or oleander seed has led to deadly poisonings.

Interactions ?

Major Interaction

Do not take this combination

Antibiotics (Macrolide antibiotics) interacts with OLEANDER
Taking some antibiotics might increase how much oleander the body absorbs. This might increase the effects and side effects of oleander.
Antibiotics (Tetracycline antibiotics) interacts with OLEANDER
Taking some antibiotics might increase how much oleander the body absorbs. This might increase the effects and side effects of oleander.
Digoxin (Lanoxin) interacts with OLEANDER
Digoxin helps the heart beat more strongly. Oleander also seems to affect the heart. Taking oleander along with digoxin can increase the effects of digoxin and might cause serious heart problems. Do not take oleander if you are taking digoxin without talking to your health care professional.
Quinine interacts with OLEANDER
Quinine might increase the amount of oleander the body absorbs. Taking quinine along with oleander might cause serious heart problems.
Stimulant laxatives interacts with OLEANDER
Oleander might affect the heart. Stimulant laxatives can cause diarrhea and decrease potassium levels. Low potassium levels can also affect the heart. Taking these products together can increase the risk of side effects.
Water pills (Diuretic drugs) interacts with OLEANDER
Oleander might affect the heart. "Water pills" can decrease potassium levels. Low potassium levels can also affect the heart. Taking these products together can increase the risk of side effects.

Moderate Interaction

Be cautious with this combination

Medications for inflammation (Corticosteroids) interacts with OLEANDER
Oleander might affect the heart. Some medications for inflammation can decrease potassium in the body. Low potassium levels can also affect the heart. Taking these products together can increase the risk of side effects.

Dosing

There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of oleander might be. Oleander can also be unsafe. Speak with a healthcare provider before using.

View References

REFERENCES:

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Bhatia, M. L., Manchanda, S. S., Gupta, S. P., and Roy, S. B. Clinical and haemodynamic studies with peruvoside (Cd. 421) in congestive heart failure. Indian Heart J 1971;23(2):159-163. View abstract.

Blum, L. M. and Rieders, F. Oleandrin distribution in a fatality from rectal and oral Nerium oleander extract administration. J Anal.Toxicol. 1987;11(5):219-221. View abstract.

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Camphausen, C., Haas, N. A., and Mattke, A. C. Successful treatment of oleander intoxication (cardiac glycosides) with digoxin-specific Fab antibody fragments in a 7-year-old child: case report and review of literature. Z Kardiol. 2005;94(12):817-823. View abstract.

Dasgupta, A. and Hart, A. P. Rapid detection of oleander poisoning using fluorescence polarization immunoassay for digitoxin. Effect of treatment with digoxin-specific Fab antibody fragment (ovine). Am J Clin.Pathol. 1997;108(4):411-416. View abstract.

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Gupta, A., Joshi, P., Jortani, S. A., Valdes, R., Jr., Thorkelsson, T., Verjee, Z., and Shemie, S. A case of nondigitalis cardiac glycoside toxicity. Ther.Drug Monit. 1997;19(6):711-714. View abstract.

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Manna, S. K., Sah, N. K., Newman, R. A., Cisneros, A., and Aggarwal, B. B. Oleandrin suppresses activation of nuclear transcription factor-kappaB, activator protein-1, and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase. Cancer Res. 7-15-2000;60(14):3838-3847. View abstract.

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Middleton, WS and Chen, KK. Clinical results from oral administration of thevetin, a cardiac glycoside. Amer Heart J 1936;11:75-88.

Nishioka, Sd and Resende, E. S. Transitory complete atrioventricular block associated to ingestion of Nerium oleander. Rev Assoc Med Bras 1995;41(1):60-62. View abstract.

Pathak, S., Multani, A. S., Narayan, S., Kumar, V., and Newman, R. A. Anvirzel, an extract of Nerium oleander, induces cell death in human but not murine cancer cells. Anticancer Drugs 2000;11(6):455-463. View abstract.

Pietsch, J., Oertel, R., Trautmann, S., Schulz, K., Kopp, B., and Dressler, J. A non-fatal oleander poisoning. Int J Legal Med 2005;119(4):236-240. View abstract.

Roberts, D. M., Southcott, E., Potter, J. M., Roberts, M. S., Eddleston, M., and Buckley, N. A. Pharmacokinetics of digoxin cross-reacting substances in patients with acute yellow Oleander (Thevetia peruviana) poisoning, including the effect of activated charcoal. Ther Drug Monit. 2006;28(6):784-792. View abstract.

Safadi, R., Levy, I., Amitai, Y., and Caraco, Y. Beneficial effect of digoxin-specific Fab antibody fragments in oleander intoxication. Arch Intern.Med 10-23-1995;155(19):2121-2125. View abstract.

Samal, K. K. Yellow oleander poisoning with jaundice and renal failure. J Assoc Physicians India 1990;38(10):821-822. View abstract.

Samal, K. K., Sahu, H. K., Kar, M. K., Palit, S. K., Kar, B. C., and Sahu, C. S. Yellow oleander (cerbera thevetia) poisoning with jaundice and renal failure. J Assoc Physicians India 1989;37(3):232-233. View abstract.

Saraswat, D. K., Garg, P. K., and Saraswat, M. Rare poisoning with cerebra thevetia (yellow oleander). Review of 13 cases of suicidal attempt. J Assoc Physicians India 1992;40(9):628-629. View abstract.

Saravanapavananthan, N. and Ganeshamoorthy, J. Yellow oleander poisoning--a study of 170 cases. Forensic Sci.Int 1988;36(3-4):247-250. View abstract.

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Siddiqui, B. S., Sultana, R., Begum, S., Zia, A., and Suria, A. Cardenolides from the methanolic extract of Nerium oleander leaves possessing central nervous system depressant activity in mice. J Nat.Prod. 1997;60(6):540-544. View abstract.

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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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OLEANDER - Uses, Side Effects, and More

Overview

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Side Effects

Special Precautions and Warnings

Interactions ?

Major Interaction

Antibiotics (Macrolide antibiotics) interacts with OLEANDER

Antibiotics (Tetracycline antibiotics) interacts with OLEANDER

Digoxin (Lanoxin) interacts with OLEANDER

Quinine interacts with OLEANDER

Stimulant laxatives interacts with OLEANDER

Water pills (Diuretic drugs) interacts with OLEANDER

Moderate Interaction

Medications for inflammation (Corticosteroids) interacts with OLEANDER

Dosing

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