Goldenseal

Goldenseal is used for:

Infections, inflammation, diarrhea, indigestion, cold and flu symptoms, menstrual disorders, gallbladder inflammation, and cirrhosis. It may have other uses as well. Check with your pharmacist for more details regarding the particular brand you use.

Goldenseal is an herbal product. It works by killing bacteria and reducing inflammation in the body.

Do NOT use Goldenseal if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Goldenseal
• you have a history of high blood pressure

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Goldenseal :

Some medical conditions may interact with Goldenseal . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you are scheduled for surgery, or have a history of heart disease, diabetes, glaucoma, or stroke

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Goldenseal . However, no specific interactions are known at this time.

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Goldenseal may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Goldenseal :

Use Goldenseal as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Dosing depends on the use and the source of the product.
• Use as directed on the package, unless instructed otherwise by your doctor.
• If you miss taking a dose of Goldenseal for 1 or more days, there is no cause for concern. If your doctor recommended that you take it, try to remember your dose every day.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Goldenseal .

Important safety information:

• Goldenseal may cause drowsiness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to this product. Using this product alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
• This product has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as safe and effective for any medical condition. The long-term safety of herbal products is not known. Before using any alternative medicine, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
• Stop using this product 2 weeks before surgery.
• Diabetes patients - Goldenseal may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely and ask your doctor before adjusting the dose of your diabetes medicine.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Do not use this product if you are pregnant. It is unknown if this product is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking this product.

Possible side effects of Goldenseal :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include breathing problems; depression; muscle spasms; nausea; nervousness; seizures.

Store at room temperature away from heat, moisture, and light unless otherwise directed on the package label. Do not store in the bathroom. Most herbal products are not in childproof containers. Keep Goldenseal out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Goldenseal , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Goldenseal is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Goldenseal . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.