Suggested Dosing
Typical Dosing Guideline
Standardized commercially prepared isoflavins
40-80 mg/day
Flower Tops
4 g PO TID
Tea
1 cup PO TID; 4 g flower tops/150 mL water
Liquid Extract
1.5-3 mL PO TID; 1:1 in 25% alcohol
Tincture
1-2 mL PO TID; 1:10 in 45% alcohol
Topical
Dosage varies
Hot Flash
Isoflavone extract: 40-160 mg/day PO
Cyclic Mastalgia
Isoflavones: 40-80 mg/day
Osteoporosis
Specific extract (Promensil): 40 mg/day
Suggested Uses
Oral
Menopausal symptoms and hot flashes, mastalgia, PMS, cancer prevention, indigestion, hypercholesterolemia, whooping cough, asthma, bronchitis, & STD's
Topical
Cancer, skin sores, burns, sore eyes, and chronic skin diseases including eczema
Efficacy
Hypercholesterolemia
- Does not significantly reduce total or LDL cholesterol, OR increase HDL in women 49-65. More studies are needed
Menopausal symptoms
- Does not seem to reduce menopausal symptoms
BPH
- May decrease nocturnal urinary frequency, international prostate symptom scores, and improve the quality of life
- Does not affect urine flow rate, PSA values, or prostate size
Breast Cancer (prevention)
- May not significantly affect breast cancer risk
Endometrial cancer
- It is not known if has any effect on risk. More studies are needed
Mastalgia
- Preliminary evidence suggests reduction in breast pain & tenderness in 45% of patients
Osteoporosis
- More studies are needed. 40 mg isoflavones qDay did not seem to increase BMD
Interactions
Interaction Checker
No Results
Contraindicated
Serious - Use Alternative
Significant - Monitor Closely
Minor
Contraindicated (0)
Serious - Use Alternative (0)
Monitor Closely (1)
- phytoestrogens
phytoestrogens, red clover. Either increases effects of the other by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor. Both contain phytoestrogens.
Minor (0)
Adverse Effects
Estrogen-like effects, rash
Warnings
Contraindications
Cancer (breast, ovarian, uterine), endometriosis, hormone sensitive conditions, uterine fibroids
Cautions
Coagulation disorders, concurrent CYP3A4 substrates
Pregnancy & Lactation
Pregnancy Category: avoid use
Lactation: avoid use
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
Antispasmodic, expectorant constituents
Isoflavones (e.g., daidzein, genistein) are phytoestrogens: weak estrogenic/antiestrogenic properties
