Bearberry (Herb/Suppl)

Brand and Other Names:arbutin, arctostaphylos uva ursi, more...mountain cranberry, uva ursi

Suggested Dosing

Dried herb

1.5-4 g PO qD

Tea

One cup of tea PO QID

Steep 3 grams dried leaf in 150 mL cold water for 12-24 hours and then strain

Fluid extract (1:1 in 25% alcohol)

1.5-4 mL PO TID

Hydroquinone derivative, calculated as water-free arbutin

100-210 mg PO QID

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Suggested Uses

Urinary tract antibacterial, astringent

Efficacy

Possibly effective for urinary tract inflammation

Currently is not clear if extended use is safe, tell patients not to use long-term

More evidence is needed to support use for UTI's

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Interactions

Interaction Checker

and Bearberry

No Results

     activity indicator 
    No Interactions Found
    Interactions Found

    Contraindicated

      Serious - Use Alternative

        Significant - Monitor Closely

          Minor

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             activity indicator 

            Contraindicated (0)

              Serious - Use Alternative (0)

                Monitor Closely (6)

                • acetazolamide

                  acetazolamide will increase the level or effect of bearberry by passive renal tubular reabsorption - basic urine. Use Caution/Monitor.

                • aluminum hydroxide

                  aluminum hydroxide will increase the level or effect of bearberry by passive renal tubular reabsorption - basic urine. Use Caution/Monitor.

                • calcium carbonate

                  calcium carbonate will increase the level or effect of bearberry by passive renal tubular reabsorption - basic urine. Use Caution/Monitor.

                • sodium bicarbonate

                  sodium bicarbonate will increase the level or effect of bearberry by passive renal tubular reabsorption - basic urine. Use Caution/Monitor.

                • sodium citrate/citric acid

                  sodium citrate/citric acid will increase the level or effect of bearberry by passive renal tubular reabsorption - basic urine. Use Caution/Monitor.

                • sodium lactate

                  sodium lactate will increase the level or effect of bearberry by passive renal tubular reabsorption - basic urine. Use Caution/Monitor.

                Minor (0)

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                  Adverse Effects

                  Nausea, vomiting, greenish-brown urine

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                  Warnings

                  Contraindications

                  Renal impairment

                  Cautions

                  WARNING: urine must be alkaline for efficacy

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                  Pregnancy & Lactation

                  Pregnancy Category: unsafe

                  Lactation: N/A

                  Pregnancy Categories

                  A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.

                  B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.

                  C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.

                  D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.

                  X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.

                  NA: Information not available.

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                  Pharmacology

                  Metabolism: N/A

                  Excretion: N/A

                  Mechanism of Action

                  Arbutin, tannins, hydroquinone: antimicrobial, astringent

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                  Medscape prescription drug monographs are based on FDA-approved labeling information, unless otherwise noted, combined with additional data derived from primary medical literature.