Cascara Sagrada
Risk Factor: C
Class: GASTROINTESTINAL AGENTS
/ Laxatives/Purgatives
Contents of this page:
Fetal Risk Summary
Breast Feeding Summary
References
Questions and Answers
Fetal Risk Summary
Cascara sagrada is an anthraquinone purgative. In a large prospective study, 53 mother-child pairs were exposed to cascara sagrada during the 1st trimester (1, pp. 384387). Although the numbers are small, no evidence for an increased risk of malformations was found. For anytime use during pregnancy, 188 exposures were recorded (1, pp. 438, 442, 497). The relative risk for benign tumors was higher than expected, but the statistical significance is unknown and independent confirmation is required (1, pp. 438, 442, 497).
Breast Feeding Summary
Most reviewers acknowledge the presence of anthraquinones in breast milk and warn of the consequences for the nursing infant (2,3 and 4). A comprehensive review that describes the excretion of laxatives into human milk has been published (5). The authors state that little is actually known about the presence of these agents in breast milk. Two reports suggest an increased incidence of diarrhea in infants when nursing mothers are given cascara sagrada or senna for postpartum constipation (6,7). However, the American Academy of Pediatrics considers cascara to be compatible with breast feeding (8).
References
- Heinonen OP, Slone D, Shapiro S. Birth Defects and Drugs in Pregnancy. Littleton, MA:Publishing Sciences Group, 1977.
- Knowles JA. Breast milk: a source of more than nutrition for the neonate. Clin Toxicol 1974;7:6982.
- O'Brien TE. Excretion of drugs in human milk. Am J Hosp Pharm 1974;31:84454.
- Edwards A. Drugs in breast milk-a review of the recent literature. Aust J Hosp Pharm 1981;11:2739.
- Stewart JJ. Gastrointestinal drugs. In Wilson JT, ed. Drugs in Breast Milk. Australia (Balgowlah):ADIS Press, 1981:6571.
- Tyson RM, Shrader EA, Perlman HH. Drugs transmitted through breast milk. Part I. Laxatives. J Pediatr 1937;11:82432.
- Greenleaf JO, Leonard HSD. Laxatives in the treatment of constipation in pregnant and breast-feeding mothers. Practitioner 1973;210:25963.
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Committee on Drugs, American Academy of Pediatrics. The transfer of drugs and other chemicals into human milk. Pediatrics 1994;93:13750.
Questions and Answers
Is there a charge for these question/answer? What is the benifits of cascara sagrada?, Is there known side effects in taking cascara sagrada?
Please rate the best answer. I have worked hard on this question and am waiting for the results. Thanks:-)
No there is no charge for these questions. I am a user like you and since I have nothing else to do today, I am answering this question :-) Suggestion: Make sure you rate one of the answers as the best answer so that the person is appreciated for his efforts.
Answer:
Cascara sagrada is a laxative. It is used for temporary relief of constipation. It is sometimes used in combination of milk of magnesia and the mixture of the two is commonly called "black and white" mixture.
There are two common varieties of this oral medicine 1. Cascara sagrada fluid extract 2. Cascara sagrada aromatic fluid extract.
Cascara sagrada fluid extract is 5 times more potent than the aromatic fluid extract.
Usual Dosage:
Oral (aromatic fluid extract):
Infants: 1.25 mL/day (range: 0.5-1.5 mL) as needed
Children 2-11 years: 2.5 mL/day (range: 1-3 mL) as needed
Children ≥12 years and Adults: 5 mL/day (range: 2-6 mL) as needed at bedtime (1 tablet as needed at bedtime)
Dosage Forms
Aromatic fluid extract: 120 mL, 473 mL
Tablet: 325 mg
SIDE EFFECTS: Long-term use of any laxative can make your body lose critical fluids and salts (especially potassium) and lead to chronic diarrhea or weakness therefore the use of cascara sagrada should be limited to 2 weeks. Repeated use of this laxative can lead to dependence as well.
Crampy gastrointestinal discomfort is a possible side effect and the drug then should either be tapered down or discontinued altogether.
Are cascara sagrada fiber formulas okay long term for the colon?,
NO!!
They specifically should NOT be taken long term, nor should Senna. In fact, they both have warnings not to take them long term.
The reason is that your body can adapt and get used to them to the point where you actually need to take it to have a regular Bowel movement. They are just too powerful to use every day.... but for those that have already been taking them for a long time, they are stuck and have to stay on them or try to slowly wean off them.
Does anyone no what cascara sagrada is and what it is used for?,
google does.
is it safe to use cascara sagrada for temporary relief of constipation?,
yep, just not for very long. Don't use too much either. Try a little bit, then increase.
If Cascara Sagrada is banned, why is it still for sale?,
Well, it's a little confusing and convoluted to explain. It's sort of banned, and it's sort of not. The FDA banned it as an additive in new products, but not in products already on the market. So you can't make a new product, marketed as a laxative with either aloe or cascara sagrada added in, unless your company conducts all the testing required for new drug certification. In the case of the cascara, that means carcinogenic testing- which none of the old companies wanted to do or submit. And FDA ruling only apply to prescription and over the counter medications. They don't regulate nutritional suppliments or herbal medicines. So you can certainly still purchase it at stores that sell those. It's the same with all the herbal remedies. The rules that apply to those are different than those applied to "drugs" as defined by the FDA. It's classed as a nutritional supplement or herbal medicine, so they don't regulate or control it. That means the supplement you buy is only controlled by the company that produces it, and if you chose to buy it and use it, it's at your own risk. I can't say I like the idea myself. In the case of the cascara, it's a laxative that has been used safely for a long time, just like sienna and psyllum. The trouble is it is a stimulant sort of laxative and if it's not aged properly it can be some pretty harsh stuff. I think the big problem was the companies that produce it just didn't want to submit to FDA restrictions and as it was in the herbal category they really didn't have to. The FDA banned it for new drugs but obviously they didn't think it was all that dangerous because they didn't require old preparations that contained it to be pulled from shelves. I know this is all confusing, but it's really more a result of the companies defying the FDA requests for info, and the FDA taking the only action they had left open to them. In the eyes of the FDA they relegated the companies to "patent" or "crank" remedy status, restricted to sales in the herbal remedy market, rather than mainstream drug company status, and restricted them from making new product formulations.
Will green tea or Cascara Sagrada cure constapation?,
Probably neither one will cure it permanently, but Cascara Sagrada will sure alleviate the symptoms at least temporarily! I don't think green tea will do anything about it, but it is good for you.
Has anyone ever used Cascara Sagrada? Or done a colon cleasing?, I am afraid of not knowing what will happen!!!
No, but ive been wanting to try it too see if it gets rid of intestinal worms i think i might have.
The bottle and most websites say its safe as long as you dont take it for over a week and stop if you have diahrea, loose stoole, or abdominal pain.
Are Fiber Blend or Fiber Cleanse(Aim or Hall. Acres) ok for long term use? One ingredient is cascara Sagrada?,
In general, Cascara Sagrada should not be used long term, but the company that makes it should have a listing of how long it can safely be used for. I've seen a couple companies that have combination products that have a very small amount of Cascara in them that they don't have a "recommended time limit" on.... but those aren't completely safe for everyone to take.
has anyone taken CASCARA SAGRADA ? does it really work ?,
Stop the nonsense. Snake oil salesmen abound. Use common sense and your doctor's advice; don't expect anything but scams from so-called "alternative medicine" practitioners. Wasting your money on crap like that is like giving donations to organized crime.
P.T. Barnum said, "There's a sucker born every minute." Judging from this site, that was a conservative estimate!
