Uzara Interactions Overview

Check For Interactions With Uzara

Uzara

Also known as
  • Xysmalobium undulatum
Uzara is a traditional African remedy derived from the root of the uzara plant. It contains cardiac glycosides, which may have both therapeutic benefits and potential adverse effects on the cardiovascular system. While it has been used for conditions like diarrhea, stomach cramps, headaches, and dysmenorrhea, caution is advised due to limited information on its safety and interactions with medications like digoxin.
There are 133 drugs known to interact with Uzara

Additional Details

Overview

The root of the uzara plant has a long history of use as a traditional African remedy. It contains cardiac glycosides, which are compounds of concern due to their potential adverse effects on the cardiovascular system and possible interactions with medications like digoxin.

History

Uzara root has been traditionally used for various conditions, including diarrhea, stomach cramps, afterbirth cramps, headaches, and dysmenorrhea.

Safety

Uzara is considered possibly safe when used orally in healthy patients for a short duration. Daily dosages up to 120 mg for up to 5 days have been used with apparent safety. However, parenteral use of uzara has been associated with deaths, so caution is necessary.

During pregnancy and lactation, it is best to avoid using uzara due to limited information about its safety in these situations.

Adverse Effects

When used orally at appropriate doses, uzara appears to be generally well-tolerated in healthy individuals. However, larger doses, prolonged use, or use in patients with pre-existing cardiovascular disease can lead to cardiotoxic effects. Intravenous administration has resulted in fatalities.

Specifically, uzara may cause cardiovascular effects, and more research is needed to determine its overall effectiveness.

Dosing & Administration

Uzara is traditionally taken as liquid ethanol-water extracts or dry extracts obtained from methanol-water extractions. The typical initial oral dose is around 75 mg of total glycosides calculated as uzarin or equivalent to 1 gram of dried root. The continuation dose is usually between 45-90 mg per day of total glycosides calculated as uzarin. Medical consultation is necessary if diarrhea persists for more than three to four days.

In the context of dysmenorrhea, uzara at a dosage of 80 mg every 8 hours for 2 doses, followed by 40 mg every 8 hours for up to 5 days, has been used.

Standardization & Formulation

There is insufficient reliable information available about the standardization of uzara products, which may vary in their composition and quality.

Interactions with Drugs

Uzara should not be taken with digoxin, as it can lead to therapeutic duplication and an increased risk of cardiac glycoside toxicity.

Caution is advised when using uzara with potassium-depleting diuretics, macrolide antibiotics, quinine, stimulant laxatives, and tetracycline antibiotics, as it may increase the risk of cardiac glycoside toxicity.

Interactions with Supplements

Uzara is contraindicated with herbs containing cardiac glycosides, as concomitant use can increase the risk of cardiac glycoside toxicity. These herbs include black hellebore, Canadian hemp roots, digitalis leaf, hedge mustard, figwort, lily of the valley roots, motherwort, oleander leaf, pheasant's eye plant, pleurisy root, squill bulb leaf scales, and strophanthus seeds.

Additionally, overuse or misuse of horsetail, licorice, and stimulant laxatives with cardiac glycoside-containing herbs, like uzara, can increase the risk of cardiac toxicity due to potassium depletion.

Interactions with Conditions

Individuals with heart disease or hypokalemia (low potassium levels) should use uzara with caution, as it may exacerbate these conditions.

Interactions with Lab Tests

There are no known interactions with lab tests at this time.

Overdose

Insufficient reliable information is available about the toxicology of uzara and potential overdose effects.

Pharmacokinetics

Uzara contains cardiac glycosides that are poorly absorbed after oral administration. Some glycosides like allouzarigenin may be better absorbed. In humans, specific uzara products resulted in maximum plasma concentration after oral administration.

Mechanism of Action

Uzara root contains a mixture of cardiac glycosides known as cardenolides, including uzarone, xysmalorin, and uzarin. These glycosides can have digitalis-like effects on the heart.

Regarding its traditional use for diarrhea, uzara may work by inhibiting motility of visceral smooth muscle in the intestine or by reducing active chloride secretion in the intestinal epithelium.

In summary, uzara is a traditional African remedy with potential medicinal properties. However, it should be used with caution, and medical consultation is advised, especially when considering its interactions with drugs and conditions. More research is needed to fully understand its effectiveness, safety, and potential toxic effects.

Drugs that interact with Uzara

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Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

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