Generic Name: cat's claw (CATS CLAW)
Brand Names:
What is cat's claw?
Cat's claw is also known as Uncaria tomentosa, Uncaria guianensis, life-giving vine of Peru, samento, and una de gato.
Cat's claw has been used in alternative medicine as an aid to treat infections, stomach or intestinal disorders, cancer, arthritis, asthma, hay fever, and chronic fatigue syndrome. Cat's claw has also been used to support the immune system and promote kidney health, and as a contraceptive.
Not all uses for cat's claw have been approved by the FDA. Cat's claw should not be used in place of medication prescribed for you by your doctor.
Cat's claw is often sold as an herbal supplement. There are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for many herbal compounds and some marketed supplements have been found to be contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.
Cat's claw may also be used for purposes not listed in this product guide.
What is the most important information I should know about cat's claw?
Not all uses for cat's claw have been approved by the FDA. Cat's claw should not be used in place of medication prescribed for you by your doctor.
Cat's claw is often sold as an herbal supplement. There are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for many herbal compounds and some marketed supplements have been found to be contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.
Use cat's claw as directed on the label, or as your healthcare provider has prescribed. Do not use this product in larger amounts or for longer than recommended.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking cat's claw?
You should not use this product if you are allergic to cat's claw.
Ask a doctor, pharmacist, herbalist, or other healthcare provider if it is safe for you to use this product if you have:
a weak immune system;
leukemia; or
an autoimmune disorder such as lupus, multiple sclerosis, and others.
Do not use cat's claw if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether cat's claw passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this product without telling your healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without medical advice.
How should I take cat's claw?
When considering the use of herbal supplements, seek the advice of your doctor. You may also consider consulting a practitioner who is trained in the use of herbal/health supplements.
If you choose to take cat's claw, use it as directed on the package or as directed by your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
Cat's claw may be available in tablet, capsule, liquid, tincture, extract, or tea formulations. Do not use different formulations of cat's claw at the same time without medical advice. Using different formulations together increases the risk of an overdose of cat's claw.
Do not use different formulations (e.g., tablets, liquids, teas, and others) of cat's claw at the same time, unless specifically directed to do so by a health care professional. Using different formulations together increases the risk of an overdose of cat's claw. If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using cat's claw. Cat's claw can interfere with your blood pressure during or after surgery.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra cat's claw to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while taking cat's claw?
Follow your healthcare provider's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.
Cat's claw side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Less serious side effects may include:
dizziness;
headaches; or
vomiting.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect cat's claw?
Do not take cat's claw without medical advice if you are using any of the following medications:
an antibiotic or antifungal medication;
an antidepressant;
anti-malaria medication;
asthma or allergy medication;
cancer medicine;
cholesterol-lowering drugs such as atorvastatin (Lipitor), lovastatin (Mevacor), simvastatin (Zocor);
erectile dysfunction medicine
heart or blood pressure medication;
HIV or AIDS medication;
medicine to treat a psychiatric disorder;
medicines used to prevent organ transplant rejection, such as cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune), sirolimus (Rapamune), or tacrolimus (Prograf);
migraine headache medicine;
a sedative such as alprazolam (Xanax), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), clonazepam (Klonopin), clorazepate (Tranxene), diazepam (Valium), flurazepam (Dalmane), midazolam (Versed);
seizure medication;
steroid medication;
stomach acid reducers; or
drugs that weaken your immune system, such as azathioprine (Imuran), basiliximab (Simulect), daclizumab (Zenapax), efalizumab (Raptiva), muromonab-CD3 (Orthoclone), or mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept).
This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with cat's claw. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
More cat's claw resources
- Cat's claw Side Effects (in more detail)
- Cat's claw Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Cat's claw Drug Interactions
- Cat's claw Support Group
- 0 Reviews for Cat's claw - Add your own review/rating
- Cat's Claw Natural MedFacts for Professionals (Wolters Kluwer)
- Cat's Claw Natural MedFacts for Consumers (Wolters Kluwer)
- Cat's Claw MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
Compare cat's claw with other medications
- Herbal Supplementation
Where can I get more information?
- Consult with a licensed healthcare professional before using any herbal/health supplement. Whether you are treated by a medical doctor or a practitioner trained in the use of natural medicines/supplements, make sure all your healthcare providers know about all of your medical conditions and treatments.
See also: cat's claw side effects (in more detail)
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