Echinacea oral dosage forms

What is this medication?

ECHINACEA (EK e nay sha) is an herbal product or dietary supplement. It is promoted to help support the body's natural defense systems. It is commonly used for colds or sore throats caused by cold viruses. However, there is limited evidence that echinacea helps colds or similar illnesses. The FDA has not approved this herb for any medical use.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Immune system problems
• HIV or AIDS
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Lung or breathing disease, like asthma
• Organ transplant
• Other chronic illness
• Tuberculosis
• An unusual or allergic reaction to echinacea, other supplements, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• Breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

Take by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the package labeling or ask your care team. If this supplement upsets your stomach, take it with food. Do not take this supplement more often than directed.

Talk to your care team about the use of this supplement in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medication?

• Antiviral medications for HIV or AIDS
• Medications for cancer
• Medications that lower your chance of fighting infection
• Medications to prevent organ transplant rejection like cyclosporine
• Nimodipine
• Steroid medications like prednisone or cortisone
• Warfarin

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

See your care team if your symptoms do not get better or if they get worse. Do not take this supplement for more than 2 weeks unless your care team tells you to. Long term use of this supplement has not been proven to be helpful and may be harmful.

If you are scheduled for any medical or dental procedure, tell your care team that you are taking this supplement. You may need to stop taking this supplement before the procedure.

Herbal or dietary supplements are not regulated like medications. Rigid quality control standards are not required for dietary supplements. The purity and strength of these products can vary. The safety and effect of this dietary supplement for a certain disease or illness is not well known. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

The Food and Drug Administration suggests the following to help consumers protect themselves:

• Always read product labels and follow directions.
• Natural does not mean a product is safe for humans to take.
• Look for products that include USP after the ingredient name. This means that the manufacturer followed the standards of the US Pharmacopoeia.
• Supplements made or sold by a nationally known food or drug company are more likely to be made under tight controls. You can write to the company for more information about how the product was made.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
• breathing problems
• bloody or watery diarrhea
• fever, chills
• signs and symptoms of liver injury like dark yellow or brown urine; general ill feeling or flu-like symptoms; light-colored stools; loss of appetite; nausea; right upper belly pain; unusually weak or tired; yellowing of the eyes or skin
• sores in the eyes, mouth, nose

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• changes in taste
• headache
• nausea
• stomach upset

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature or as directed on the package label. Protect from moisture. Throw away any unused supplement after the expiration date.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.