Background

Chaparral is a plant. The chaparral leaf is used to make medicine, but there are serious safety concerns with its use. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Health Canada have advised consumers against using products containing chaparral due to these safety concerns.

Despite serious safety concerns, people use chaparral for digestion problems, respiratory tract conditions, skin disorders, arthritis, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Safety Safety definitions

When taken by mouth: Chaparral is LIKELY UNSAFE. There are several reports of serious poisoning, acute hepatitis, and kidney and liver damage, including kidney and liver failure, in people who have taken chaparral. Chaparral can also cause side effects including stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea, weight loss, and fever.

When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if chaparral is safe. It might cause side effects such as rash and itching in some people.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

It's LIKELY UNSAFE for anyone to take chaparral by mouth. But chaparral is especially dangerous for people with the following conditions:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Chaparral is LIKELY UNSAFE. It can cause serious liver and kidney problems. Don't use products containing chaparral when pregnant or breast-feeding.

Liver disease: Chaparral might make liver disease worse. Don't use it.

Effectiveness

Dosing & administration

The appropriate dose of chaparral depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for chaparral. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

Interactions with pharmaceuticals

Medications that can harm the liver (Hepatotoxic drugs)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Chaparral might harm the liver. Taking chaparral along with medication that might also harm the liver can increase the risk of liver damage. Do not take chaparral if you are taking a medication that can harm the liver.

Some medications that can harm the liver include acetaminophen (Tylenol and others), amiodarone (Cordarone), carbamazepine (Tegretol), isoniazid (INH), methotrexate (Rheumatrex), methyldopa (Aldomet), fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox), erythromycin (Erythrocin, Ilosone, others), phenytoin (Dilantin), lovastatin (Mevacor), pravastatin (Pravachol), simvastatin (Zocor), and many others.

Interactions with herbs & supplements

Herbs and supplements that might harm the liver: Chaparral might harm the liver. Taking chaparral along with other natural products that might also harm the liver can increase the risk of liver damage. Other products that might affect the liver include bishop's weed, borage, uva ursi, and others.

Interactions with foods

There are no known interactions with foods.