Opuntia Ficus Indica (Herb/Suppl)

Brand and Other Names:Barbary pear, cactus pear, more...Indian fig, Indian pear, nopal, prickly pear

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

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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

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Interactions

Interaction Checker

and Opuntia Ficus Indica

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 (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)

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                  Adverse Effects

                  Frequency Not Defined

                  None significant

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                  Warnings

                  Contraindications

                  Pregnancy (roots)

                  Cautions

                  May not work effectively with high-fiber foods

                  Pregnancy, any medical condition

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                  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.

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                  Pharmacology

                  Metabolism: N/A

                  Excretion: N/A

                  Mechanism of Action

                  Apparently in part through anti-inflammatory mechanisms

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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.