No. 41-C Chlorophyll With Wachters' Marine Biological Extract [Discontinued] by Wachters'

INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE

• Acne. It is unclear if topical chlorophyll is beneficial in patients with acne. Details: Preliminary clinical research in young adults with acne shows that applying facial sheets (VIRTA-Healer, Aseptica) containing chlorophyll to one side of the face for 30 minutes twice weekly, in combination with light-emitting diode (LED) irradiation, improves acne severity and reduces acne counts by 32% more than LED irradiation alone after 2 weeks of treatment (93893).
• Allergic rhinitis (hay fever). It is unclear if oral chlorophyll is beneficial in patients with allergic rhinitis (hay fever). Details: Preliminary clinical research in adults with allergic rhinitis shows that taking oral chlorophyll 0.7 mg daily for 12 weeks reduces the use of rescue medications after 8 weeks, but does not improve symptoms or quality of life, when compared with placebo (97934).
• Colostomy odor. Although there has been interest in using oral chlorophyll for colostomy odor, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of chlorophyll for this purpose.
• Constipation. Although there has been interest in using oral chlorophyll for constipation, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of chlorophyll for this purpose.
• Genital herpes. Although there has been interest in using topical chlorophyll for genital herpes, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of chlorophyll for this purpose.
• Halitosis. Although there has been interest in using oral chlorophyll for halitosis, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of chlorophyll for this purpose.
• Herpes zoster (shingles). Although there has been interest in using topical chlorophyll for herpes zoster (shingles), there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of chlorophyll for this purpose.
• Nonmelanoma skin cancer. Although there has been interest in using topical or intravenous chlorophyll for nonmelanoma skin cancer, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of chlorophyll for this purpose.
• Obesity. Although there has been interest in using oral chlorophyll for obesity, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of chlorophyll for this purpose.
• Pancreatitis. It is unclear if oral chlorophyll is beneficial in patients with pancreatitis. Details: Preliminary observational research in patients with chronic relapsing pancreatitis suggests that administering chlorophyll 5-20 mg intravenously divided 1-2 times daily for 1-2 weeks modestly improves pain and other symptoms of pancreatitis when compared to baseline (1324). The validity of these findings is limited by the lack of a comparator group.
• Wound healing. Although there has been interest in using oral chlorophyll for wound healing, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of chlorophyll for this purpose. More evidence is needed to rate chlorophyll for these uses.

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LIKELY SAFE ...when used orally and appropriately in amounts commonly found in foods. There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of chlorophyll when used orally in medicinal amounts or when used topically or as an injection.

PREGNANCY AND LACTATION:
Insufficient reliable information available.

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METHOTREXATE (Trexall, others) Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = High •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = B Theoretically, chlorophyll may reduce the clearance of methotrexate.  Details In one case report, a 54-year-old male developed delayed clearance of intravenous high-dose methotrexate with concomitant use of chlorophyll. When chlorophyll was stopped 2 days prior to methotrexate treatment, methotrexate clearance was unaffected (93891).

PHOTOSENSITIZING DRUGS Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = Moderate •  Occurrence = Probable •  Level of Evidence = B Theoretically, concomitant use of chlorophyll with photosensitizing drugs may have additive effects.  Details Chlorophyll has been reported to cause photosensitization. In two case reports, pseudoporphyria developed after oral intake of chlorophyll (93892). Theoretically, concomitant use with other photosensitizing drugs may exacerbate this effect (1326).

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General ...Orally, topically, or intravenously, significant adverse effects have not been reported. However, a thorough evaluation of safety outcomes has not been conducted.
Most Common Adverse Effects:
Orally: Photosensitization.
Topically: Dermatitis, photosensitization.
Serious Adverse Effects (Rare):
Orally: Pseudoporphyria.

Dermatologic ...Topically, chlorophyll cream has been reported to cause dermatitis (41912). Orally, chlorophyll can cause photosensitization (1326). Certain carotenoids such as beta-carotene and canthaxanthin seem to prevent or lessen the photosensitivity that results from taking chlorophyll (1326). Oral consumption of chlorophyll has been associated with the development of pseudoporphyria in case reports. Two females developed easily traumatized blisters on their hands after consumption of a Swisse Chlorophyll drink (93892). In one case series, four males developed skin blisters and skin erosions after taking oral chlorophyll 100-1200 mg daily for 6.5 months up to 7 years. Resolution of symptoms was delayed for 2-8 months after chlorophyll discontinuation (97933).

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