Opuntia ficus-indica

• Opuntia ficus-indica suggested uses include alcohol hangover, male urinary discomfort and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and type 2 diabetes.
• Opuntia ficus-indica may contain hypoglycemic polysaccharides.
• A study provides evidence of Opuntia ficus-indica efficacy in reducing hangover symptoms [Wiese et al., Arch Internal Med., 164:1334-40 (2004)].
• Studies support some hypoglycemic effects of Opuntia ficus-indica in Type 2 diabetes patients.
• There is insufficient evidence to support use of Opuntia ficus-indica for BPH. More studies are needed.

Dosages of Opuntia ficus-indica:

• See package labels

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows:

Suggested Dosing

Diabetes

• Broiled stems: 100-500 g/divided three times daily
• Opuntia streptacantha species only

Alcohol-Induced Hangover

• Extract: 1600 international units orally taken 5 hours before alcohol ingestion

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

• Dried, powdered flower: 500 mg orally three times daily

Opuntia ficus-indica has no noted significant side effects.

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.

• Opuntia ficus-indica has no listed severe interactions with other drugs.
• Opuntia ficus-indica has no listed serious interactions with other drugs.
• Moderate interactions of Opuntia ficus-indica include:
  • acarbose
  • chlorpropamide
  • glimepiride
  • glipizide
  • glyburide
  • insulin aspart
  • insulin detemir
  • insulin glargine
  • insulin glulisine
  • insulin lispro
  • insulin NPH
  • insulin regular human
  • metformin
  • miglitol
  • nateglinide
  • pioglitazone
  • repaglinide
  • rosiglitazone
  • saxagliptin
  • sitagliptin
  • tolazamide
  • tolbutamide
  • vildagliptin
• Opuntia ficus-indica has no listed mild interactions with other 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 a plasma protein fraction. Do not take Plasma Plex, Plasmanate, Plasmatein, or Protenate if you are allergic to plasma protein fraction 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

• Cryo should not be given for replacement of isolated factor deficiencies of factor VIII, von Willebrand factor, or factor XIII if the appropriate factor concentrates are available
• Cryo is deficient in all clotting factors other than fibrinogen, factor VIII, von Willebrand factor, and factor XIII and should not be used to treat deficiencies of other factors, nor used as the sole component when replacement of multiple factors is required

Effects of Drug Abuse

• No information is available.

Short-Term Effects

• See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Opuntia ficus-indica?"

Long-Term Effects

• See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Opuntia ficus-indica?"

Cautions

• May not work effectively with high-fiber foods
• Pregnancy, any medical condition

Pregnancy and Lactation

• No information is available about the use of opuntia_ficus during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Consult your doctor.