Wheat Germ Extract (Herb/Suppl)

Brand and Other Names:avemar

Suggested Dosing

9 g PO qDay

>90 kg: 9 g PO BID

Administration

Mix powder in 150 mL water or other liquid not containing vitamin C

Take 1 hour before meals

Next:

Suggested Uses

Certain cancers, esp colorectal

Efficacy

Small clinical trials showed significant improvement in progression-free & overall survival (Br J Cancer 89, 465-469: 2003) & absence of metastases (Hepato-Gastroenterology 47, 393-395:2000) in colorectal cancer patients compared to control groups

Other studies indicate survival benefit in melanoma & quality-of-life improvement in breast cancer

Approved in Hungary as a medical nutriment

Previous
Next:

Interactions

Interaction Checker

and Wheat Germ Extract

No Results

     activity indicator 
    No Interactions Found
    Interactions Found

    Contraindicated

      Serious - Use Alternative

        Significant - Monitor Closely

          Minor

            All Interactions Sort By:
             activity indicator 

            Contraindicated (0)

              Serious - Use Alternative (0)

                Monitor Closely (2)

                • ascorbic acid

                  ascorbic acid decreases effects of wheat germ extract by unknown mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. Mfr. recommends separating by 2 hrs.

                • rose hips

                  rose hips decreases effects of wheat germ extract by unknown mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. Mfr. recommends separating by 2 hrs.

                Minor (1)

                • tamoxifen

                  wheat germ extract increases effects of tamoxifen by pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Determined by mfr. of Avemar to be a beneficial combination in ER+ breast cancer.

                Previous
                Next:

                Adverse Effects

                Soft stools, nausea, diarrhea

                Previous
                Next:

                Warnings

                Contraindications

                Pregnancy, lactation

                Malabsorption syndrome, GI ulcers, celiac sprue, gluten sensitivity

                Pattients undergoing transplants

                Inherited fructose intolerance

                Hypersensitivity

                Cautions

                Give only when patient has been able to take food orally without complications for at least 4 days

                Give other medicinal products or supplements at least 2 hours apart (esp vitamin C)

                Previous
                Next:

                Pregnancy & Lactation

                Pregnancy Category: avoid

                Lactation: avoid

                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.

                Previous
                Next:

                Pharmacology

                Metabolism: N/A

                Excretion: N/A

                Mechanism of Action

                Induces apoptosis in cancer cells; also immunostimulatory & hematopoietic effects

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