Background

Padang cassia is a type of cinnamon. It is prepared from the bark of a small tree found in Southeast Asia. Padang cassia is less expensive than other cinnamons such as cassia cinnamon and Ceylon cinnamon and is the most common type sold in the US.

People use Padang cassia for prediabetes, diabetes, obesity, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

In food and beverages, Padang cassia is used as a flavoring agent.

Safety Safety definitions

When taken by mouth: Padang cassia is LIKELY SAFE when taken in amounts typically found in food. It is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken as a medicine in doses up to 1500 mg daily for up to 6 months. However, when it is taken in doses greater than 1500 mg daily for a long period of time, it is POSSIBLY UNSAFE. Padang cassia contains a chemical called coumarin. In people who are sensitive, coumarin might harm the liver.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if Padang cassia is safe to use when pregnant or breastfeeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Diabetes: Padang cassia may lower blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. Watch for signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and monitor your blood sugar carefully if you have diabetes and use Padang cassia in amounts larger than what's normally found in food.

Liver disease: Padang cassia contains a chemical that might harm the liver. If you have liver disease, don't take Padang cassia in amounts larger than what's normally found in food.

Surgery: Padang cassia might lower blood sugar and might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop taking Padang cassia as a medicine at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Effectiveness

Dosing & administration

The appropriate dose of Padang cassia 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 Padang cassia. 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 changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Padang cassia might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking Padang cassia along with some medications that are changed by the liver might increase the effects and side effects of some medications. Before taking Padang cassia, talk to your healthcare provider if you take any medications that are changed by the liver.

Some medications changed by the liver include some calcium channel blockers (diltiazem, nicardipine, verapamil), cancer drugs (etoposide, paclitaxel, vinblastine, vincristine, vindesine), antifungal drugs (ketoconazole, itraconazole), steroids, cisapride (Propulsid), fentanyl (Sublimaze), losartan (Cozaar), fluoxetine (Prozac), midazolam (Versed), omeprazole (Prilosec), ondansetron (Zofran), propranolol (Inderal), fexofenadine (Allegra), and many more.

Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Padang cassia might decrease blood sugar. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar. Taking Padang cassia along with diabetes medications might cause your blood sugar to go too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your diabetes medication might need to be changed.

Some medications used for diabetes include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, metformin (Glucophage), pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), and others.

Medications that can harm the liver (Hepatotoxic drugs)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Padang cassia contains a chemical that might harm the liver. Taking large amounts of Padang cassia along with medications that might also harm the liver might increase the risk of liver damage. Do not take large amounts of Padang cassia 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: Padang cassia contains a chemical that might harm the liver. Taking Padang cassia along with other products that could harm the liver might increase the risk of developing liver damage. Some of these include chaparral, comfrey, DHEA, germander, kava, niacin, pennyroyal oil, red yeast, and others.


Herbs and supplements that might lower blood sugar: Padang cassia might lower blood sugar levels. Taking it along with other herbs and supplements that might lower blood sugar could lower blood sugar too much in some people. Some herbs and supplements that might lower blood sugar include alpha-lipoic acid, bitter melon, chromium, devil's claw, fenugreek, garlic, guar gum, horse chestnut, Panax ginseng, psyllium, Siberian ginseng, and others.

Interactions with foods

There are no known interactions with foods.

Action

Padang cassia contains chemicals that seem to improve how the body handles blood sugar and how it responds to insulin. These effects may improve blood sugar control in people with diabetes.