What is it?

Echinacea is an herbal medicine used to treat a cold or flu. It may also be used to help your body fight a urine infection (urinary tract infection). Some cancers have been treated with Echinacea and the effect of chemotherapy may be improved with Echinacea.

Other names for Echinacea include: Echinacea purpura , American coneflower, Purple coneflower, Kansas snakeroot, Indian Head, Hedgehog, Black Sampson, Black Susan, and Comb flower.

Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist if you need more information about this medicine or if any information in this leaflet concerns you.

Before Using:

Tell your doctor if you

• are taking medicine or are allergic to any medicine (prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) or dietary supplement)
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medicine
• are breastfeeding
• have multiple sclerosis (MS), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), an autoimmune disease (such as lupus), or tuberculosis (TB)
• have any other health problems, such as high blood pressure or heart or blood vessel disease

Dosage:

Talk with your caregiver about how much Echinacea you should take. The amount depends on the strength of the medicine and the reason you are taking Echinacea. If you are using this medicine without instructions from your caregiver, follow the directions on the medicine bottle. Do not take more medicine or take it more often than the directions tell you to.

To store this medicine:

Keep all medicine locked up and away from children. Store medicine away from heat and direct light. Do not store your medicine in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down and not work the way it should work. Throw away medicine that is out of date or that you do not need. Never share your medicine with others.

Drug and Food Interactions:

Do not take Echinacea without talking to your doctor first if you are taking:

• Medicine that decreases the immune system functioning (examples: azathioprine (Imuran(R)), basiliximab (Simulect(R)), prednisone (Deltasone(R), Meticorten(R)), methylprednisolone (Solu-Medrol(R)), cortisone (Cortone(R)), prednisolone (Pediapred(R)), cyclosporine (Neoral(R), Sandimmune(R)), daclizumab (Zenepax(R)), muromonab (Orthoclone OKT3(R)), mycophenolate (Cellcept(R)), sirolimus (Rapamune(R)), tacrolimus (Prograf(R)))

Warnings:

• Before taking Echinacea, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Echinacea should not be used orally (by mouth) in long term diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, tuberculosis, collagenosis, and autoimmune disorders (like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis)
• Echinacea should not be used orally (by mouth) in long term diseases, such as HIV or AIDS

Side Effects:

Stop taking your medicine right away and talk to your doctor if you have any of the following side effects. Your medicine may be causing these symptoms which may mean you are allergic to it.

• Breathing problems or tightness in your throat or chest
• Chest pain
• Skin hives, rash, or itchy or swollen skin

Other Side Effects:

You may have the following side effects, but this medicine may also cause other side effects. Tell your doctor if you have side effects that you think are caused by this medicine.

• Dizziness, headache, fever, nausea (upset stomach), or skin irritation

References:

1. Schulz V & Haensel R: Rationale Phytotheapie. Ratgeber fuer die aertzlich Praxis. 3 Aufl. Springer Verlag, Berlin, 1996:306-310.

2. Blumenthal M, Busse WR, Goldberg A et al: The Complete Commission E Monographs; Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. American Botanical Council, Austin, TX; 1998.

3. Brinker F: Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. Eclectic Medical Publications, Sandy, OR; 1998.

4. Anon: ABDA-Datenbank WuV, Eschborn and Micromedex Inc, Englewood, CO; 1997.

5. Bisset NG: Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL; 1994.

6. Berg AH, Northoff D, Konig C et al: Influence of Echinacin(R) (EC31) treatment on the exercise-induced immune response in athletes. J Clin Res 1998; 1:367-380.