Echinacea oral dosage forms

What is this medicine?

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.

How should I use this medicine?

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

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

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

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

What may interact with this medicine?

• antiviral medicines for HIV or AIDS

• medicines for cancer

• medicines that lower your chance of fighting infection

• medicines to prevent organ transplant rejection like cyclosporine

• nimodipine

• steroid medicines like prednisone or cortisone

• warfarin

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.

Where should I keep my medicine?

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.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

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 medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

See your doctor if your symptoms do not get better or if they get worse. Do not take this supplement for more than 2 weeks unless your doctor 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 healthcare provider 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 medicines. 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.