Cat's Claw

What are other names for this remedy?

Type of medicine: natural remedy

Scientific and common names: Uncaria tomentosa, Uncaria guianensis, cat's claw, griffe du chat, life-giving vine of Peru, samento, uña de gato

What is cat's claw ?

Cat's claw is a woody vine that grows in Peru. Its name comes from the hooklike thorns that attach to trees. The roots and bark are used to make medicines.

What is it used for?

Cat's claw has been used to treat:

• allergies and asthma
• arthritis
• cancer
• chronic fatigue syndrome
• fibromyalgia
• herpes
• hemorrhoids
• human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
• ulcers, colitis, and diverticulitis

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve uses for natural remedies. The FDA does not inspect or regulate natural remedies the way they do prescription medicines.

How is it taken?

Cat's claw comes in the form of capsules, tablets, tinctures, dried bark for making tea, and as a cream to used on the skin. Check the label on the package for the specific dose.

What if I overdose?

Symptoms of an acute overdose have not been reported.

What should I watch out for?

Talk with your healthcare provider before taking this remedy if you have ever had:

• an organ transplant
• lupus
• multiple sclerosis
• rheumatoid arthritis

Cat's claw may lower blood pressure. Have your blood pressure checked regularly if you also take any medicines for blood pressure.

Females of childbearing age: Do not take this remedy if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Cat's claw has been used to prevent pregnancy and may cause miscarriage.

Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist about any natural remedy that you are using or thinking about using. If your provider does not tell you how to take it, follow the directions that come with the package. Do not take more or take it longer than recommended. Ask about anything you do not understand. Remember:

• Natural remedies are not always safe.
• You should not take them if you are pregnant or breast-feeding without your healthcare provider's approval. They should not be taken by infants, children, or older adults without your provider's approval.
• They affect your body and may interact with prescription medicines that you take.
• Natural remedies are not standardized and may be contaminated. They may have different strengths and effects.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its desirable effects, this remedy may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the remedy. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Minor: Headache, dizziness, vomiting.

What products might interact with this remedy?

When you take this remedy with other medicines, it can change the way the remedy or the medicines work. Vitamins and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Before taking this remedy, talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• ACE inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), quinapril (Accupril), and ramipril (Altace)
• alpha blockers such as prazosin (Minipress) and doxazosin (Cardura)
• angiotensin receptor II blockers such as candesartan (Atacand), eprosartan (Teveten), irbesartan (Avapro), losartan (Cozaar), olmesartan (Benicar), telmisartan (Micardis), and valsartan (Diovan)
• beta blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin), bisoprolol (Zebeta), pindolol, metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), and propranolol (Inderal)
• calcium channel blockers such as diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiamate, Tiazac), nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat), felodipine (Plendil), amlodipine (Norvasc), and verapamil (Calan, Isoptin, Verelan)
• corticosteroids such as cortisone (Cortone), prednisone, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone (Cortef), prednisolone (Prelone), and methylprednisolone (Medrol)
• diuretics such as hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide, Oretic), chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Thalitone), furosemide (Lasix), bumetanide (Bumex), torsemide (Demadex), and metolazone (Zaroxolyn)
• immunosuppressant medicines such as azathioprine (Imuran), basiliximab (Simulect), cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune), daclizumab (Zenapax), muromonab-CD3 (OKT3, Orthoclone OKT3), mycophenolate (CellCept), tacrolimus (FK506, Prograf), and sirolimus (Rapamune)
• medicines to treat irregular heart rhythms, such as amiodarone (Cordarone) or digoxin (Lanoxin)

Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

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Keep all natural remedies and medicines out of the reach of children.

This advisory includes select information only. The information was obtained from scientific journals, study reports, and other documents. The author and publisher make no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the information. The advisory may not include all side effects associated with a remedy or interactions with other medicines. Nothing herein shall constitute a recommendation for the use of any remedy. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information.

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