Uzara
OTHER NAME(S): Bitterhout, Milk Bush, Uzarae Radix, Wild Cotton, Xysmalobium undulatum
Overview
Uzara is a plant used in traditional African medicine. The root is used to make medicine.
People take uzara for diarrhea.
Uzara contains ingredients that might slow the movement of the contents of the intestines.
Uzara contains ingredients that might slow the movement of the contents of the intestines.
Uses
Insufficient Evidence for
- Menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea). Early research shows that taking uzara might work as well as taking ibuprofen for reducing pain from menstrual cramps.
- Diarrhea.
- Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of uzara for these uses.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Uzara is POSSIBLY SAFE when used by healthy adults for up to 5 days. The common side effects of uzara are unknown. Rarely, uzara can cause worsened heart function, irregular heart rhythm, and difficulty breathing.
Uzara is commonly used for diarrhea. Diarrhea lasting for more than a couple of days should be brought to the attention of your healthcare provider.
When given as a shot: Uzara is UNSAFE when used by injection and has caused death.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Uzara is POSSIBLY SAFE when used by healthy adults for up to 5 days. The common side effects of uzara are unknown. Rarely, uzara can cause worsened heart function, irregular heart rhythm, and difficulty breathing.
Uzara is commonly used for diarrhea. Diarrhea lasting for more than a couple of days should be brought to the attention of your healthcare provider.
When given as a shot: Uzara is UNSAFE when used by injection and has caused death.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if it is safe to use uzara when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Heart disease: Don't use uzara if you have a heart condition. It contains chemicals that could make your condition worse or interfere with your treatment.
Low potassium levels: Low potassium levels threaten the health of your heart. Using uzara can drive your potassium levels even lower and raise the risk of heart damage.
Interactions
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination
- Antibiotics (Macrolide antibiotics) interacts with UzaraUzara can affect the heart. Some antibiotics might increase how much uzara the body absorbs. Increasing how much uzara the body absorbs might increase the effects and side effects of uzara. Some antibiotics called macrolide antibiotics include erythromycin, azithromycin, and clarithromycin.
- Antibiotics (Tetracycline antibiotics) interacts with UzaraTaking tetracycline antibiotics along with uzara might increase the chance of side effects from uzara. Some tetracycline antibiotics include demeclocycline (Declomycin), minocycline (Minocin), and tetracycline (Achromycin).
- Digoxin (Lanoxin) interacts with UzaraDigoxin (Lanoxin) helps the heart beat more strongly. Uzara also seems to affect the heart. Taking uzara along with digoxin can increase the effects of digoxin and increase the risk of side effects. Do not take uzara if you are taking digoxin (Lanoxin) without talking to your healthcare professional.
- Stimulant laxatives interacts with UzaraUzara can affect the heart. The heart uses potassium. Laxatives called stimulant laxatives can decrease potassium levels in the body. Low potassium levels can increase the chance of side effects from uzara. Some stimulant laxatives include bisacodyl (Correctol, Dulcolax), cascara, castor oil (Purge), senna (Senokot), and others.
- Water pills (Diuretic drugs) interacts with UzaraUzara might affect the heart. "Water pills" can decrease potassium in the body. Low potassium levels can also affect the heart and increase the risk of side effects from uzara. Some "water pills" that can deplete potassium include chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Thalitone), furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril, Microzide), and others.
- Quinine interacts with UzaraUzara can affect the heart. Quinine can also affect the heart. Taking quinine along with uzara might cause serious heart problems.
Dosing
The appropriate dose of uzara depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for uzara. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
References
- Blumenthal M, ed. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Trans. S. Klein. Boston, MA: American Botanical Council, 1998.
- Ellenhorn MJ, et al. Ellenhorn's Medical Toxicology: Diagnoses and Treatment of Human Poisoning. 2nd ed. Baltimore, MD: Williams & Wilkins, 1997.
- Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
- Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.
- Burnham TH, ed. Drug Facts and Comparisons, Updated Monthly. Facts and Comparisons, St. Louis, MO.
- Abd-El-Maeboud KH, Kortam MA, Ali MS, Ibrahim MI, Mohamed RM. A preliminary pilot randomized crossover study of uzara (Xysmalobium undulatum) versus ibuprofen in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea. PLoS One. 2014;9(8):e104473.
- Schmiedl S, Ritter A, Szymanski J, et al. Cardiovascular effects, pharmacokinetics and cross-reactivity in digitalis glycoside immunoassays of an antidiarrheal uzara root extract. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2012;50(10):729-40.
- Schulzke JD, Andres S, Amasheh M, Fromm A, Günzel D. Anti-diarrheal mechanism of the traditional remedy Uzara via reduction of active chloride secretion. PLoS One. 2011;6(3):e18107.
- Thürmann PA, Neff A, Fleisch J. Interference of Uzara glycosides in assays of digitalis glycosides. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2004;42(5):281-4.