COMFREY (Symphytum officinale) - TOPICAL side effects, medical uses, and drug interactions. (original) (raw)

GENERIC NAME: COMFREY (Symphytum officinale) - TOPICAL

Medication Uses | How To Use | Side Effects | Precautions | Drug Interactions | Overdose | Notes | Missed Dose | Storage

USES: Comfrey (both the above-ground plant and the roots) has been used on the skin for the relief of swelling (inflammatory disorders such as bruises, sprains, pulled muscles or ligaments). Some herbal/diet supplement products have been found to contain possibly harmful impurities/additives. Check with your pharmacist for more details regarding the particular brand you use. The FDA has not reviewed this product for safety or effectiveness. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

HOW TO USE: Apply this product to the skin as directed. Follow all directions on the product package. If you are uncertain about any of the information, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Due to the potential for very serious side effects (e.g., liver damage), do not use any comfrey product by mouth. Do not use comfrey longer than 4-6 weeks per year. Do not apply comfrey to cuts, ulcers or other open wounds. If your condition persists or worsens, or if you think you may have a serious medical problem, seek immediate medical attention.

SIDE EFFECTS: Unlikely but report to your doctor promptly stomach upset, dark urine or yellowing eyes and skin. These effects have mainly occurred with oral use of comfrey. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

PRECAUTIONS: Do not apply this product to large areas of your skin without first consulting your doctor or pharmacist. Comfrey is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Consult your doctor before using this product. Because of the potential risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using this product is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription medications you may use.

OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.

NOTES: Keep all regular medical or laboratory test appointments.

MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, apply it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next application, skip the missed application and resume your usual schedule. Do not double the amount to catch up.

STORAGE: Refer to storage information printed on the package. If you have any questions about storage, ask your pharmacist.

Related Disease Conditions

• Liver Disease Liver disease can be cause by a variety of things including infection (hepatitis), diseases, for example, gallstones, high cholesterol or triglycerides, blood flow obstruction to the liver, and toxins (medications and chemicals). Symptoms of liver disease depends upon the cause and may include nausea, vomiting, upper right abdominal pain, and jaundice. Treatment depends upon the cause of the liver disease.
• Bruises A bruise, or contusion, is caused when blood vessels are damaged or broken as the result of a blow to the skin. The raised area of a bump or bruise results from blood leaking from these injured blood vessels into the tissues as well as from the body's response to the injury. Treatments include applying an ice pack and pressure to the area by hand.

Treatment & Diagnosis

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Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Selected from data included with permission and copyrighted by First Databank, Inc. This copyrighted material has been downloaded from a licensed data provider and is not for distribution, except as may be authorized by the applicable terms of use.

CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.