Devil's Claw

Devil's claw suggested uses include for osteoarthritis, lower back pain, appetite loss, and cancer pain.

There is increasing evidence of short-term benefits of use of devil’s claw in osteoarthritis. There is some evidence of benefit of devil’s claw in lower back pain. The benefits of devil’s claw are unclear with regards to other uses.

Devil's claw is extensively used in Europe for mild joint pain.

German Comission E approves the use of Devil's claw root for: appetite loss, indigestion/heartburn, and as supportive therapy for arthritis.

ESCOP approves the use of Devil's claw root for: painful arthrosis, tendinitis, appetite loss, and indigestion/heartburn.

Devil's claw is available under the following different brand and other names: afrikanische teufelskralle, ao ao, arpagofito, Arthrosetten H, Arthrotabsm, artiglio del diavolo, Artosan, Defencid, Doloteffin, duiwelsklou, ekatata, elyata, grapple plant, griffe du diable, Hariosen, Harpadol, HarpagoMega, harpagon, Harpagophytum procumbens, harpagoside, Jucurba N, khams, khuripe, klaudoring, likakata, otjihangatene, RheumaSern, RheumaTee, Salus, sengaparile, Sudafrikanische Teufelskralle, Trampelklette, Venustorn, windhoek's root, wood spider, and xemta'eisa.

List of dosages

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows:

Osteoarthritis/Low Back Pain

• Crude Extract: 2-9 g/d orally
• Standardized Tablets: 600-1200 mg (=50-100 mg harpagoside) orally three times daily

Other Information

• Appetite loss (anorexia): 1.5 g/day decoction
• Elixir (1:1): 0.1-0.25 mL orally three times daily

Side effects of Devil's Claw may include:

• Headache
• Gastrointestinal (GI) upset
• Slow heart rate
• Loss of taste

This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur. Check with your physician for additional information about side effects.

If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider or pharmacist first.

• Devil's Claw has no listed severe interactions with other drugs.
• Devil's Claw has no listed serious interactions with other drugs.
• Moderate interactions of Devil's Claw include:
  • adenovirus types 4 and 7 live, oral
  • apalutamide
  • deferiprone
  • erdafitinib
  • idelalisib
  • influenza virus vaccine trivalent, adjuvanted
  • ivosidenib
  • lasmiditan
  • nefazodone
  • palifermin
  • quinidine
  • voxelotor
• Devil's Claw has mild interactions with at least 104 different drugs.

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your physician if you have health questions or concerns.

Warnings

This medication contains devil’s claw. Do not take afrikanische teufelskralle, ao ao, arpagofito, Arthrosetten H, Arthrotabsm, artiglio del diavolo, Artosan, Defencid, Doloteffin, duiwelsklou, ekatata, elyata, grapple plant, griffe du diable, Hariosen, Harpadol, HarpagoMega, harpagon, Harpagophytum procumbens, harpagoside, Jucurba N, khams, khuripe, klaudoring, likakata, otjihangatene, RheumaSern, RheumaTee, Salus, sengaparile, Sudafrikanische Teufelskralle, Trampelklette, Venustorn, windhoek's root, wood spider, or xemta'eisa if you are allergic to devil’s claw or any ingredients contained in this drug

Keep out of reach of children. In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center immediately.

Contraindications

• No information available

Effects of Drug Abuse

• No information available.

Short-Term Effects

• See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Devil's Claw?"

Long-Term Effects

• See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Devil's Claw?"

Cautions

• Stomach or intestinal ulcer, diabetes, high or low blood pressure, arrhythmia
• Safety/efficacy not established for children

Pregnancy and Lactation

There is no information available about use of devil’s claw during pregnancy of breastfeeding. Consult your doctor.