Forskolin (Herb/Suppl)

Cancer, obesity, glaucoma, allergies & asthma; heart failure, intestinal spasms, dysmenorrhea, IBS, UTI, hypertension, angina, insomnia, & convulsions

Efficacy

Small clinical studies indicate obesity reduction potential as well as asthma prevention

Hypotension (with beta-blockers, vasodilators, calcium channel blockers), tachycardia, bleeding

Contraindications

Data not available

Cautions

Risk of bleeding

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.

Metabolism: N/A

Excretion: N/A

Mechanism of Action

Promotes activation of adenylate cyclase & incr intracellular cAMP resulting in beta-adrenergic effects:

• positive inotrope
• vasodilator
• inhibits Plt aggregation