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
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
Interactions
Interaction Checker
No Results
Contraindicated
Serious - Use Alternative
Significant - Monitor Closely
Minor
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)
Adverse Effects
Nausea, vomiting, greenish-brown urine
Warnings
Contraindications
Renal impairment
Cautions
WARNING: urine must be alkaline for efficacy
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.Pharmacology
Metabolism: N/A
Excretion: N/A
Mechanism of Action
Arbutin, tannins, hydroquinone: antimicrobial, astringent
