Horny Goat Weed by Wonder Laboratories

INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE

• Anxiety. Although there has been interest in using oral cowhage for anxiety, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of cowhage for this purpose.
• Erythema. Although there has been interest in using topical cowhage for erythema, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of cowhage for this purpose.
• Hyperprolactinemia. Although there has been interest in using oral cowhage for hyperprolactinemia, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of cowhage for this purpose.
• Myalgia. Although there has been interest in using topical cowhage for myalgia, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of cowhage for this purpose.
• Parkinson disease. It is unclear if oral cowhage is beneficial in patients with Parkinson disease. Details: Very small clinical studies in patients with Parkinson disease suggest that taking a specific cowhage seed extract standardized to 3.3% levodopa (Zandopa, formerly HP-200; Zandu Pharmaceuticals), or other cowhage products that contain levodopa 75-400 mg orally once daily for up to 12 weeks modestly improves Parkinson disease scores when compared with baseline (7020,7203). Two very small clinical trials enrolling a total of 26 patients with Parkinson disease suggests that taking a single dose of cowhage powder, providing levodopa 1000-2000 mg or 12.5-17.5 mg/kg, is similarly effective after 90 minutes when compared with prescription levodopa 200 mg or 3.5 mg/kg as a single dose, with or without carbidopa and benserazide (12232,97266). It is unclear how these products would compare if they provided similar amounts of levodopa, or if they were taken for an extended duration.
• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although there has been interest in using topical cowhage for RA, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of cowhage for this purpose.
• Sexual desire. Although there has been interest in using oral cowhage to increase sexual desire, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of cowhage for this purpose. More evidence is needed to rate cowhage for these uses.

(Read more about COWHAGE)

INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE

• Bronchitis. Although there is interest in using oral horny goat weed for bronchitis, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of horny goat weed for this condition.
• Coronary heart disease (CHD). Although there is interest in using oral horny goat weed for CHD, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of horny goat weed for this condition.
• Erectile dysfunction (ED). Although there is interest in using oral horny goat weed for ED, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of horny goat weed for this condition.
• Fatigue. Although there is interest in using oral horny goat weed for fatigue, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of horny goat weed for this condition.
• Gulf war syndrome. It is unclear if oral horny goat weed is beneficial in patients with Gulf war syndrome. Details: A small clinical study in males with Gulf war syndrome shows that taking horny goat weed extract 250 mg or 500 mg twice daily, standardized to contain 50 mg or 100 mg of icariin per dose, respectively, for 30 days does not improve symptoms of Gulf war syndrome when compared with placebo (108311).
• Hepatitis. Although there is interest in using oral horny goat weed for hepatitis, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of horny goat weed for this condition.
• HIV/AIDS. Although there is interest in using oral horny goat weed for HIV/AIDS, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of horny goat weed for this condition.
• Hypertension. Although there is interest in using oral horny goat weed for hypertension, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of horny goat weed for this condition.
• Male infertility. Although there is interest in using oral horny goat weed for male infertility, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of horny goat weed for this condition.
• Memory. Although there is interest in using oral horny goat weed for memory, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of horny goat weed for this purpose.
• Myocarditis. Although there is interest in using oral horny goat weed for myocarditis, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of horny goat weed for this condition.
• Osteoarthritis. Although there is interest in using oral horny goat weed for osteoarthritis, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of horny goat weed for this condition.
• Osteoporosis. Several small, low-quality clinical studies suggest that horny goat weed may modestly improve bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with osteoporosis. Details: A meta-analysis of 12 small, low-quality clinical studies in patients with osteoporosis shows that taking horny goat weed alone or in combination with conventional therapy improves BMD when compared with a control group. When added to conventional therapy, horny goat weed appears to have a large effect on BMD, while its effect is more modest when used alone. The most common formulations and doses used include granules 1 gram twice daily for 6 months, an extract 600 mg taken in divided doses daily for 6 months, and a decoction 50 mL taken 2-3 times daily for 3-6 months. The pooled analysis suggests that horny goat weed decoctions are more effective than other formulations (109578). Additionally, a small clinical study in postmenopausal patients not included in the analysis above shows that taking a specific extract of horny goat weed containing 60 mg icariin, 15 mg daidzein, and 3 mg genistein (Xianling Gubao; Tong Ji Tang Pharmacal Company) daily, in addition to calcium 300 mg daily, for 24 months attenuates loss of BMD of the lumbar spine and femoral neck when compared with placebo plus calcium. BMD increased by 1.6% and 1.3% at each site, respectively, compared with decreases of 1.8% and 2.4%, respectively, with placebo (14900).
• Postmenopausal conditions. It is unclear if oral horny goat weed is beneficial in patients with postmenopausal conditions. Details: Preliminary clinical research in postmenopausal patients shows that taking horny goat weed water extract 300 mL daily for 6 months slightly decreases triglyceride and total cholesterol levels and can increase estradiol levels when compared with placebo (55452). The clinical significance of these effects is unclear.
• Sexual dysfunction. Although there is interest in using oral horny goat weed for sexual dysfunction, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of horny goat weed for this condition. More evidence is needed to rate horny goat weed for these uses.

(Read more about HORNY GOAT WEED)

POSSIBLY SAFE ...when used orally and appropriately. Powdered formulations of cowhage seed that are standardized to provide levodopa 75-400 mg daily have been used with apparent safety for up to 20 weeks (7020,7203,97266).

POSSIBLY UNSAFE ...when the hair of the cowhage bean pod is used orally or topically. The bean pod hairs are strong irritants and can cause severe itching, burning, and inflammation (18).

PREGNANCY AND LACTATION:
Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.

(Read more about COWHAGE)

POSSIBLY SAFE ...when horny goat weed extract is used orally and appropriately, short-term. A specific extract of horny goat weed containing 60 mg icariin, 15 mg daidzein, and 3 mg genistein (Xianling Gubao; Tong Ji Tang Pharmacal Company) has been used daily with apparent safety for up to 24 months (14900,97268). Another aqueous extract of horny goat weed containing up to 25.36% icariin has been used in a dose of 300 mL daily with apparent safety for up to 6 months (55452). Another horny goat weed extract has been used with apparent safety at doses up to 1000 mg daily (providing 200 mg icariin) for up to 30 days (108311).

POSSIBLY UNSAFE ...when used orally long-term or in high doses. Long-term use, or taking high doses of some species of horny goat weed, has been linked to serious adverse effects including respiratory arrest (10346).

PREGNANCY: POSSIBLY UNSAFE
when used orally. Horny goat weed might have androgenic activity (10346). Theoretically, it might harm a developing fetus; avoid using.

LACTATION:
Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.

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ANESTHESIA Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = High •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = D Theoretically, concomitant use of cowhage and anesthesia might increase the risk of arrhythmias.  Details Cowhage contains levodopa (7020,7205,46334,46336,94723,94724). Use of levodopa with cyclopropane or halogenated hydrocarbon anesthesia has led to arrhythmias. Other anesthetics have not been implicated (15). Use other anesthetics in patients taking cowhage or tell patients to stop taking cowhage at least 2 weeks before surgery.

ANTIDIABETES DRUGS Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = Moderate •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = D Theoretically, concomitant use of cowhage and antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.  Details Animal research shows that cowhage might have hypoglycemic effects (7221).

ANTIPSYCHOTIC DRUGS Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = High •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = D Theoretically, use of cowhage might decrease the clinical effects of antipsychotic drugs.  Details Cowhage contains levodopa (7020,7205,46334,46336,94723,94724). Use of levodopa might counteract the antidopaminergic effects of antipsychotic medications (15).

GUANETHIDINE (Ismelin) Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = Moderate •  Occurrence = Probable •  Level of Evidence = D Theoretically, concomitant use of cowhage and guanethidine might increase the risk of hypotension.  Details Cowhage contains levodopa (7020,7205,46334,46336,94723,94724). Use of levodopa with guanethidine might cause additive hypotension (15); avoid using.

LEVODOPA Interaction Rating = Major Do not take this combination. Severity = Moderate •  Occurrence = Likely •  Level of Evidence = D Concomitant use can increase the risk of levodopa-related adverse effects.  Details Cowhage contains levodopa. Some cowhage products have been standardized to contain 75-400 mg of levodopa per dose (7020,7205,46334,46336,94723,94724).

METHYLDOPA (Aldomet) Interaction Rating = Major Do not take this combination. Severity = High •  Occurrence = Probable •  Level of Evidence = D Theoretically, concomitant use of cowhage and methyldopa might increase the risk of hypotension.  Details Cowhage contains levodopa (7020,7205,46334,46336,94723,94724). Use of levodopa with methyldopa might cause additive hypotension. In addition, methyldopa may inhibit peripheral decarboxylation of levodopa and increase levodopa levels in the central nervous system (15); avoid using.

MONOAMINE OXIDASE INHIBITORS (MAOIs) Interaction Rating = Major Do not take this combination. Severity = High •  Occurrence = Probable •  Level of Evidence = D Theoretically, concomitant use of cowhage and non-selective MAOIs might increase the risk of hypertensive crisis.  Details Cowhage contains levodopa (7020,7205,46334,46336,94723,94724). Use of levodopa with non-selective MAOIs might cause hypertensive crisis. However, this interaction has not been reported with MAO-B selective inhibitors such as selegiline (15).

TRICYCLIC ANTIDEPRESSANTS (TCAs) Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = Moderate •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = D Theoretically, use of TCAs might reduce the levels and clinical effects of cowhage.  Details Cowhage contains levodopa (7020,7205,46334,46336,94723,94724). Use of TCAs might reduce the absorption of levodopa. Some case reports describe patients that developed hypertension and dyskinesia when taking both levodopa and TCAs (15).

(Read more about COWHAGE)

ANTICOAGULANT/ANTIPLATELET DRUGS Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = High •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = D Theoretically, horny goat weed might increase the risk of bleeding.  Details In vitro research and animal research shows that horny goat weed can inhibit platelet aggregation and thrombus formation (105832). This effect has not been reported in humans.

ANTIHYPERTENSIVE DRUGS Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = Moderate •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = D Theoretically, horny goat weed might increase the risk of hypotension.  Details Laboratory research suggests that horny goat weed might have hypotensive effects (10346). This effect has not been reported in humans.

CYTOCHROME P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) SUBSTRATES Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = Moderate •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = D Theoretically, horny goat weed might increase the effects and side effects of CYP1A2 substrates.  Details In vitro, horny goat weed leaf extract inhibits CYP1A2 (97267). This effect has not been reported in humans.

CYTOCHROME P450 2B6 (CYP2B6) SUBSTRATES Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = Moderate •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = D Theoretically, horny goat weed might increase the effects and side effects of CYP2B6 substrates.  Details In vitro, horny goat weed leaf extract inhibits CYP2B6 (97267). This effect has not been reported in humans.

CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = Moderate •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = D Theoretically, horny goat weed might increase the effects and side effects of CYP3A4 substrates.  Details In vitro, horny goat weed extract inhibits CYP3A4 and suppresses CYP3A4 mRNA expression (112708). This effect has not been reported in humans.

ESTROGENS Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = Moderate •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = D Theoretically, concomitant use of horny goat weed with estrogens might increase their therapeutic and adverse effects.  Details In vitro evidence suggests that horny goat weed has estrogenic activity. In clinical research, horny goat weed has been shown to increase blood levels of estrogen in some females (16061,16063,16060,55452).

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General ...Orally, adverse effects to cowhage seem to be rare; however, a thorough safety evaluation has not been conducted. Topically, cowhage bean pod or seed may be unsafe.
Most Common Adverse Effects:
Orally: Diarrhea, flatulence, mucosal irritation.
Topically: Erythema, pruritus, rash.

Cardiovascular ...Orally, cowhage has been reported to cause palpitations (7021,7203)

Dermatologic ...Orally, ingestion of hairs from the bean pod or seed can result in significant mucosal irritation and should be avoided.
Topically, hairs on cowhage bean pod or seed can cause severe pruritus (6898). Symptoms include severe itching, burning, inflammation, and erythematous macular rashes (18,6898). Symptoms resolve spontaneously within several hours, but may also be relieved with antihistamines (6898). The hairs can be removed from the skin by washing, but the hairs can also be retained, and transferred to other people, in fabrics and carpets. Clothing and other materials that come in contact with cowhage hairs should also be thoroughly washed (6898).

Gastrointestinal ...Orally, cowhage has been reported to cause flatulence, diarrhea, and dry mouth (7021,7203). Orally, a specific powdered cowhage seed extract (Zandopa, formerly HP-200; Zandu Pharmaceuticals) has been reported to cause nausea, abdominal distention, and vomiting in clinical research when taken in amounts of 22.5-67.5 grams divided into 2-5 doses per day (7020).

Musculoskeletal ...Orally, dyskinesia has been reported in clinical research in about 3% of patients taking a specific powdered cowhage seed extract (Zandopa, formerly HP-200; Zandu Pharmaceuticals) 22. 5-67.5 grams divided into 2-5 doses daily (7020).

Neurologic/CNS ...Orally, cowhage has been reported to cause headaches (7021,7203). Orally, insomnia has been reported in clinical research in about 3% of patients taking a specific powdered cowhage seed extract (Zandopa, formerly HP-200; Zandu Pharmaceuticals) 22.5 grams to 67.5 grams divided into 2-5 doses daily (7020).

Psychiatric ...In a case report, cowhage caused an outbreak of acute toxic psychosis. Symptoms of psychosis included confusion, giddiness, agitation, hallucinations, and paranoid delusions. The cowhage-induced psychosis was successfully treated with intravenous chlorpromazine (7021).

Other ...Orally, cowhage has been reported to cause sweating and changes in urine color, (7021,7203). Theoretically, due to the levodopa constituent, cowhage is likely to cause the same adverse effects that have been attributed to purified, prescription levodopa. Some of these side effects include elevated liver enzymes, respiratory disturbances, urinary retention, muscle cramps, and priapism (15). However, these effects have not yet been reported for cowhage.

(Read more about COWHAGE)

General ...Orally, horny goat weed seems to be well tolerated when used short-term.
Most Common Adverse Effects:
Orally: Dizziness, dry mouth, nosebleed, thirst, and vomiting.
Serious Adverse Effects (Rare):
Orally: Respiratory arrest.

Cardiovascular ...A 66-year-old male with a history of cardiovascular disease developed tachyarrhythmia after taking horny goat weed for 2 weeks (13006). It is not clear if this product contained only horny goat weed or a combination of ingredients; therefore, assigning causality is not possible.

Gastrointestinal ...Orally, long-term use of horny goat weed has been associated with reports of vomiting, dry mouth, thirst, and nosebleed (10346).

Hepatic ...A case of hepatotoxicity characterized by abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and fever has been reported in a 40-year-old male patient with hepatitis C, after a month of taking one tablet daily of a combination product containing horny goat weed and multiple other ingredients (Enzyte, Vianda). Symptoms improved following cessation of the product, but it is not clear if they were due to horny goat weed, another ingredients, or hepatitis C (91590). An observational study over 24 years found 26 cases of drug-induced hepatoxicity associated with horny goat weed (112707).

Musculoskeletal ...Orally, large doses of horny goat weed may cause exaggeration of tendon reflexes to the point of spasm (10346).

Neurologic/CNS ...Orally, long-term use of horny goat weed has been associated with reports of dizziness (10346).

Psychiatric ...There is a case report of hypomania in a 66-year-old male who took horny goat weed for 2 weeks (13006). It is not clear if this product contained only horny goat weed or a combination of ingredients; therefore, assigning causality is not possible.

Pulmonary/Respiratory ...Orally, large doses of horny goat weed may cause respiratory arrest (10346).

(Read more about HORNY GOAT WEED)