dong quai

Generic Name: dong quai (DON KWAY)Brand Names:

What is dong quai?

The use of dong quai in cultural and traditional settings may differ from concepts accepted by current Western medicine. When considering the use of herbal supplements, consultation with a primary health care professional is advisable. Additionally, consultation with a practitioner trained in the uses of herbal/health supplements may be beneficial, and coordination of treatment among all health care providers involved may be advantageous.

Dong quai is also known as Angelica polymorpha, tang-kuei, dang-gui, and Chinese angelica.

Dong quai has been used in the treatment of menstrual cramps and irregular menses; as a muscle relaxant; as a blood purifier; and in the management of high blood pressure, arthritis, ulcers, anemia, constipation, and allergies.

Dong quai has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or purity. All potential risks and/or advantages of dong quai may not be known. Additionally, there are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for these compounds. There have been instances where herbal/health supplements have been sold which were contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.

Dong quai may also have uses other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about dong quai?

Avoid excessive or prolonged exposure to sunlight while taking dong quai. Dong quai may increase the sensitivity of your skin to sunlight. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing if sun exposure is unavoidable. Do not take dong quai without first talking to your doctor if you have a bleeding or blood clotting disorder; if you are taking a medicine to prevent blood clots; or if you are taking other medications, herbs, antioxidants, or health supplements (these may also affect blood clotting). Dong quai may affect the time it takes for your blood to clot.

Dong quai has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or purity. All potential risks and/or advantages of dong quai may not be known. Additionally, there are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for these compounds. There have been instances where herbal/health supplements have been sold which were contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.

Who should not take dong quai?

Do not take dong quai without first talking to your doctor if you have a bleeding or blood clotting disorder; if you are taking a medicine to prevent blood clots; or if you are taking other medications, herbs, antioxidants, or health supplements (these may also affect blood clotting). Dong quai may affect the time it takes for your blood to clot.

Before taking dong quai, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care professional if you have any other medical conditions, allergies (especially to plants), or if you take other medicines or other herbal/health supplements. Dong quai may not be recommended in some situations.

Do not take dong quai without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy. It is not known whether dong quai will harm an unborn baby. Do not take dong quai without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. It is not known whether dong quai will harm a nursing infant. There is no information available regarding the use of dong quai by children. Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without first talking to the child's doctor.

How should I take dong quai?

The use of dong quai in cultural and traditional settings may differ from concepts accepted by current Western medicine. When considering the use of herbal supplements, consultation with a primary health care professional is advisable. Additionally, consultation with a practitioner trained in the uses of herbal/health supplements may be beneficial, and coordination of treatment among all health care providers involved may be advantageous.

If you choose to take dong quai, use it as directed on the package or as directed by your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Standardized extracts, tinctures, and solid formulations of herbal/health supplements may provide a more reliable dose of the product.

Do not use different formulations (e.g., tablets, teas, tinctures, and others) of dong quai at the same time, unless specifically directed to do so by a health care professional. Using different formulations together increases the risk of an overdose of dong quai.

Store dong quai as directed on the package. In general, dong quai should be protected from light and moisture and stored in a sealed container.

What happens if I miss a dose?

No information is available regarding a missed dose of dong quai. Consult your doctor, pharmacist, or health care professional if you require further information.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of a dong quai overdose are not known.

What should I avoid while taking dong quai?

Avoid excessive or prolonged exposure to sunlight while taking dong quai. Dong quai may increase the sensitivity of your skin to sunlight. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing if sun exposure is unavoidable.

Dong quai side effects

Stop taking dong quai and seek emergency medical attention or notify your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following rare, but possibly serious, side effects:

• an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

• unusual bleeding or bruising;

• a rash or a sunburn; or

• changes in skin color or moles.

Other less serious side effects have not been reported with the use of dong quai, although they may occur. Talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care professional about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect dong quai?

Do not take dong quai without first talking to your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• warfarin (Coumadin);

• aspirin;

• a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) including ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin, others), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Naprelan, Anaprox, others), ketoprofen (Orudis KT, Orudis), indomethacin (Indocin), etodolac (Lodine), nabumetone (Relafen), oxaprozin (Daypro), piroxicam (Feldene), sulindac (Clinoril), tolmetin (Tolectin), and others;

• ardeparin (Normiflo);

• dalteparin (Fragmin);

• danaparoid (Orgaran);

• enoxaparin (Lovenox);

• heparin; or

• other herbs, antioxidants, or health supplements (these may affect blood clotting).

You may not be able to take dong quai, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with dong quai or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care professional before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines or other herbal/health supplements.

Where can I get more information?

• Your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider may have more information about dong quai.

• Consultation with a licensed health care professional is advisable before using any herbal/health supplement. Additionally, consultation with a practitioner trained in the uses of herbal/health supplements may be beneficial and coordination of treatment among all health care providers involved may be advantageous. Remember, keep this and all other prescription drug products, over-the-counter drug products, and herbal/health supplements out of the reach of children.
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2006 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 1.03. Revision Date: 2/13/04 4:08:13 PM.