Devil's Claw

What are other names for this remedy?

Type of medicine: natural remedy

Scientific and common names: Harpagophytum procumbens, Uncaria procumbens, woodspider, devil's claw, devil's claw root, grapple plant

What is devil's claw?

Devil's claw is a shrub that grows in parts of Madagascar and the Kalahari desert. The dried seedpods look like a starfish that has shriveled into a claw. The roots and seedpods of the plant are used to make medicine.

What is it used for?

Devil's claw has been used to treat:

• joint pain caused by conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout
• high cholesterol
• migraine headaches
• muscle aches, tendonitis, and back pain
• skin sores, boils, and injuries
• upset stomach and loss of appetite

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?

You can buy devil's claw supplements in powder, liquid, capsule, or tablet form. Check the label on the package for the specific dose. It is also available as an ointment to be used on the skin.

What if I overdose?

Symptoms of an acute overdose have not been reported.

What should I watch out for?

Do not take devil's claw if you have:

• a stomach ulcer
• diabetes
• gallstones
• heart problems
• high or low blood pressure

If you have diabetes check with your healthcare provider before taking this remedy because devil's claw may lower blood sugar levels.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine. Before you have surgery, stop taking this remedy. It may cause you to bleed more.

Females of childbearing age: Do not take this remedy if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

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.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Other: Headache, ringing in your ears, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, loss of taste.

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 enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), fosinopril (Monopril), captopril (Capoten), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), and benazepril (Lotensin)
• antacids (Maalox, Mylanta) and medicines used to control stomach acid such as sucralfate (Carafate), ranitidine (Zantac), cimetidine (Tagamet), omeprazole (Prilosec), esomeprazole (Nexium), pantoprazole (Protonix), rabeprazole (AcipHex), and lansoprazole (Prevacid)
• beta blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin), pindolol, metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), bisoprolol (Zebeta), and propranolol (Inderal)
• calcium channel blockers such as nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat), felodipine (Plendil), amlodipine (Norvasc), diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor), and verapamil (Calan, Isoptin)
• diabetes medicines such as insulin, glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide (DiaBeta, Micronase, Glynase), metformin (Glucophage), acarbose (Precose), repaglinide (Prandin), rosiglitazone (Avandia), and pioglitazone (Actos)
• digoxin (Lanoxin)
• diuretics such as hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide, Oretic) and furosemide (Lasix)
• natural remedies such as angelica, anise, arnica, asafoetida, capsicum, celery, chamomile, clove, fenugreek, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, Panax ginseng, horse chestnut, horseradish, licorice, onion, papain, passionflower, red clover, turmeric, and willow
• warfarin (Coumadin)

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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