Suggested Dosing
Diabetes
Broiled stems: 100-500 g/ div TID
Opuntia streptacantha species only
Alcohol-Induced Hangover
Extract: 1600 international units PO taken 5 hours prior to alcohol ingestion
BPH
Dried, powdered flower: 500 mg PO TID
Suggested Uses
Alcohol hangover, male urinary discomfort & BPH, type 2 diabetes
May contain hypoglycemic polysaccharides
Efficacy
Study provides evidence of reducing hangover symptoms [Wiese et al., Arch Internal Med., 164:1334-40 (2004)]
Studies support some hypoglycemic effect in Type 2 diabetes patients
Insufficient evidence to support use for BPH. More studies needed
Interactions
Interaction Checker
No Results

Contraindicated
Serious - Use Alternative
Significant - Monitor Closely
Minor

Contraindicated (0)
Serious - Use Alternative (0)
Monitor Closely (23)
- acarbose
opuntia ficus indica increases effects of acarbose by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor.
- chlorpropamide
opuntia ficus indica increases effects of chlorpropamide by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor.
- glimepiride
opuntia ficus indica increases effects of glimepiride by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor.
- glipizide
opuntia ficus indica increases effects of glipizide by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor.
- glyburide
opuntia ficus indica increases effects of glyburide by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor.
- insulin aspart
opuntia ficus indica increases effects of insulin aspart by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor.
- insulin detemir
opuntia ficus indica increases effects of insulin detemir by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor.
- insulin glargine
opuntia ficus indica increases effects of insulin glargine by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor.
- insulin glulisine
opuntia ficus indica increases effects of insulin glulisine by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor.
- insulin lispro
opuntia ficus indica increases effects of insulin lispro by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor.
- insulin NPH
opuntia ficus indica increases effects of insulin NPH by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor.
- insulin regular human
opuntia ficus indica increases effects of insulin regular human by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor.
- metformin
opuntia ficus indica increases effects of metformin by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor.
- miglitol
opuntia ficus indica increases effects of miglitol by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor.
- nateglinide
opuntia ficus indica increases effects of nateglinide by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor.
- pioglitazone
opuntia ficus indica increases effects of pioglitazone by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor.
- repaglinide
opuntia ficus indica increases effects of repaglinide by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor.
- rosiglitazone
opuntia ficus indica increases effects of rosiglitazone by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor.
- saxagliptin
opuntia ficus indica increases effects of saxagliptin by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor.
- sitagliptin
opuntia ficus indica increases effects of sitagliptin by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor.
- tolazamide
opuntia ficus indica increases effects of tolazamide by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor.
- tolbutamide
opuntia ficus indica increases effects of tolbutamide by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor.
- vildagliptin
opuntia ficus indica increases effects of vildagliptin by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor.
Minor (0)
Adverse Effects
Frequency Not Defined
None significant
Warnings
Contraindications
Pregnancy (roots)
Cautions
May not work effectively with high-fiber foods
Pregnancy, any medical condition
Pregnancy & Lactation
Pregnancy Category: NA
Lactation: unknown
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
Apparently in part through anti-inflammatory mechanisms