Belladonna
OTHER NAME(S): Atropa belladonna, belladonna, deadly nightshade
Overview
Belladonna is a plant called Atropa belladonna. The belladonna berry is found in many homeopathic products. Although these products are commonly used to relieve minor pain or fevers, their benefits are not well defined. Homeopathic belladonna products are usually well tolerated, but pure belladonna can be toxic when taken by mouth. Before taking belladonna, make sure to tell your health care provider about any health conditions you have or medicines you are taking.
Uses
What is belladonna used for?
Homeopathic belladonna (Atropa belladonna) is commonly used to relieve minor pain and fevers.
Note: The FDA has not reviewed belladonna for safety and effectiveness. Learn more about homeopathic products here.
Some prescription medicines contain belladonna. See Belladonna alkaloids/Phenobarbital and Belladonna/Opium rectal for more information.
How does belladonna work (mechanism of action)?
Belladonna, also known as deadly nightshade, is a plant called Atropa belladonna. Products that contain belladonna are made from the plant’s poisonous berries. Belladonna berries contain atropine and scopolamine, two chemicals that can cause serious side effects when taken by mouth.
Most belladonna products are homeopathic, meaning they are very dilute and contain only very small amounts of belladonna. Sometimes these amounts are so small that there may not be any belladonna in the product at all. The very small amounts of belladonna found in homeopathic products are unlikely to cause serious side effects. However, some homeopathic products have been found to contain enough belladonna to cause serious health problems and even death in infants and small children. Use caution with all belladonna products.
How should I store belladonna?
You should store belladonna according to the product label. Most dietary supplements should be kept in a cool, dry location that is out of the reach of children and pets and not in direct sunlight.
Side Effects
What are the most common side effects of belladonna?
Homeopathic belladonna products are usually well tolerated. But pure belladonna can cause serious side effects (see below). Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that bother you.
There may be side effects of belladonna that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a supplement. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov or by calling 888-SAFEFOOD (888-723-3366). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.
What are the serious side effects of belladonna?
While less common, the most serious side effects of belladonna are described below, along with what to do if they happen.
Severe Allergic Reactions. Belladonna may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using belladonna and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.
- Breathing problems or wheezing
- Racing heart
- Fever or general ill feeling
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
- Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
- Itching or skin rash
- Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
- Stomach cramps
- Joint pain
Brain or Central Nervous System (CNS) Problems. Pure belladonna can affect your brain or central nervous system (CNS). Stop taking belladonna and call your health care provider right away if you or your child has the following symptoms of brain or CNS problems.
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Sleepiness
- Confusion
Seizures. Pure belladonna can cause seizures. There are many types of seizures, and some of them are not easy to recognize. If you or your child has any of the following signs that a seizure is happening or could happen, stop belladonna and call your health care provider.
- Muscle twitching, jerking, spasms, tremors, or other uncontrolled movements
- Stiffening of your arms and legs
- Feeling anxious, nervous, confused, or a sense of dread
- Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
- Falling or losing consciousness
Precautions
Who should not use belladonna?
Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use belladonna.
- Atropa belladonna
- Belladonna
- Deadly nightshade
- Any of the ingredients in the specific product
Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific belladonna products they stock.
What should I know about belladonna before using it?
Pure belladonna contains toxic chemicals that can cause serious health problems. Do not eat belladonna berries or use products that contain pure belladonna.
Most belladonna products are homeopathic, meaning that they contain only very small amounts of belladonna. These small amounts are unlikely to be poisonous or cause serious side effects. But some homeopathic products have been found to contain larger amounts than listed on the label. These large amounts can cause serious side effects. The FDA has not tested belladonna products to confirm that they contain the ingredients or amounts stated on their labels. Learn more about the risks of homeopathic products here.
Read and follow the directions on the specific product you are using, or use it as recommended by your health care provider.
Keep belladonna out of the reach of children. Infants and small children are at a greater risk of side effects from belladonna. Speak to a health care provider before giving your child a product that contains belladonna, even if the product is labeled as homeopathic.
Herbal products, such as belladonna, naturally contain many different chemicals. The amount of each chemical in a specific belladonna product can change for many reasons, including the area where the plant was grown, the weather during growth, the time of year it was harvested, and the way the berry was processed after being harvested. If you switch to a new bottle or a different brand, you may not have the same effects or side effects because of this variability. Talk to your health care provider if you have questions or concerns.
What should I tell my health care provider before using belladonna?
Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if belladonna is right for you.
In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.
Other Medicines and Supplements.Belladonna may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking belladonna, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.
Pregnancy. It is not known if or how belladonna could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. But pure belladonna can be toxic. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Breastfeeding. It is not known if belladonna passes into breast milk, but belladonna may cause harm to an infant or small child. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
Interactions
Does belladonna interact with foods or drinks?
There are no known interactions between belladonna and foods or drinks.
It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect belladonna.
Does belladonna interact with medicines (drug interactions)?
Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.
In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking belladonna.
- An anticholinergic medicine, which includes antihistamines and medicines commonly used for overactive bladder, Parkinson’s disease, or stomach problems
- Scopolamine (Transderm Scop), which is a patch used to reduce nausea or vomiting from motion sickness or surgery
- Any other medicine or supplement that contains belladonna
The interactions between belladonna and medicines are not fully understood. As with most dietary supplements, the research on drug interactions with belladonna is incomplete. Always check with your health care provider before taking belladonna with any medicines.
Dosing
What should I do if I accidentally use too much belladonna?
If you or someone else has used too much belladonna, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.
Belladonna is available in homeopathic products. Pure belladonna should be avoided. Read the product label closely and speak to a health care provider about how to take belladonna safely. Do not take double or extra doses, even if you miss a dose.
References
- Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) [Internet]: “Belladonna.”
- Gardner, Z; McGuffin, M. Botanical Safety Handbook (Second Edition), American Herbal Products Association, 2013.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: “Homeopathy: What You Need To Know.”
- FDA: “FDA confirms elevated levels of belladonna in certain homeopathic teething products,” “FDA warns consumers about homeopathic teething products.”