Indication-specific dosing for (opuntia ficus indica), frequency-based adverse effects, comprehensive interactions, contraindications, pregnancy & lactation schedules, and cost information.

Sections

Sections Opuntia Ficus Indica
Suggested Dosing
Suggested Uses
Interactions
Adverse Effects
Warnings
Pregnancy
Pharmacology

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

Interaction Checker

Enter a drug name and Opuntia Ficus Indica

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No Interactions Found

Interactions Found

Contraindicated

Serious - Use Alternative

Significant - Monitor Closely

Minor

All Interactions Sort By:

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)

acarbose
Monitor Closely (1)opuntia ficus indica increases effects of acarbose by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor.
chlorpropamide
Monitor Closely (1)opuntia ficus indica increases effects of chlorpropamide by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor.
glimepiride
Monitor Closely (1)opuntia ficus indica increases effects of glimepiride by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor.
glipizide
Monitor Closely (1)opuntia ficus indica increases effects of glipizide by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor.
glyburide
Monitor Closely (1)opuntia ficus indica increases effects of glyburide by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor.
insulin aspart
Monitor Closely (1)opuntia ficus indica increases effects of insulin aspart by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor.
insulin detemir
Monitor Closely (1)opuntia ficus indica increases effects of insulin detemir by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor.
insulin glargine
Monitor Closely (1)opuntia ficus indica increases effects of insulin glargine by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor.
insulin glulisine
Monitor Closely (1)opuntia ficus indica increases effects of insulin glulisine by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor.
insulin lispro
Monitor Closely (1)opuntia ficus indica increases effects of insulin lispro by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor.
insulin NPH
Monitor Closely (1)opuntia ficus indica increases effects of insulin NPH by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor.
insulin regular human
Monitor Closely (1)opuntia ficus indica increases effects of insulin regular human by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor.
metformin
Monitor Closely (1)opuntia ficus indica increases effects of metformin by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor.
miglitol
Monitor Closely (1)opuntia ficus indica increases effects of miglitol by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor.
nateglinide
Monitor Closely (1)opuntia ficus indica increases effects of nateglinide by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor.
pioglitazone
Monitor Closely (1)opuntia ficus indica increases effects of pioglitazone by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor.
repaglinide
Monitor Closely (1)opuntia ficus indica increases effects of repaglinide by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor.
rosiglitazone
Monitor Closely (1)opuntia ficus indica increases effects of rosiglitazone by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor.
saxagliptin
Monitor Closely (1)opuntia ficus indica increases effects of saxagliptin by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor.
sitagliptin
Monitor Closely (1)opuntia ficus indica increases effects of sitagliptin by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor.
tolazamide
Monitor Closely (1)opuntia ficus indica increases effects of tolazamide by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor.
tolbutamide
Monitor Closely (1)opuntia ficus indica increases effects of tolbutamide by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor.
vildagliptin
Monitor Closely (1)opuntia ficus indica increases effects of vildagliptin by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor.

Frequency Not Defined

None significant

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

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

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Sections Opuntia Ficus Indica
Suggested Dosing
Suggested Uses
Interactions
Adverse Effects
Warnings
Pregnancy
Pharmacology

Opuntia Ficus Indica (Herb/Suppl)