Horny Goat Weed HOR-nee GOHT weed

What are other names for this remedy?

Type of medicine: natural remedy

Scientific and common names: Epimedium acuminatum, Epimedium brevicornum, Epimedium grandiflorum, Epimedium koreanum, Epimedium pubescens, Epimedium sagittatum, barrenwort, horny goat weed, Japanese epimedium, yin yang huo

What is horny goat weed?

Horny goat weed is a leafy plant that grows at higher altitudes. The leaves of the plant are used medicinally.

What is it used for?

This remedy has been used to treat several conditions. Studies in humans or animals have not proved that this remedy is safe or effective for all uses. Before using this remedy for a serious condition, you should talk with your healthcare provider. There may be other uses that are not listed below.

Horny goat weed has been used to treat:

• bronchitis
• chest pain
• erectile dysfunction (impotence)
• heart disease
• hepatitis
• high blood pressure
• high cholesterol
• joint pain
• kidney and liver disorders
• lack of energy
• memory loss
• osteoporosis

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve uses for natural remedies. The FDA does not inspect or regulate natural remedies the way they do prescription medicines.

How is it taken?

You can buy horny goat weed in the form of capsules, tablets, and teas. Follow the directions printed on the product label or given by your healthcare provider.

What if I overdose?

Symptoms of an acute overdose have not been reported.

What should I watch out for?

Talk with your healthcare provider before taking this remedy if you have:

• a bleeding disorder
• a weakened immune system from diseases such as HIV/AIDS or from cancer chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or steroid medicine
• low blood pressure

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist about any natural remedy that you are using or thinking about using. If your provider does not tell you how to take it, follow the directions that come with the package. Do not take more or take it longer than recommended. Ask about anything you do not understand. Remember:

• Natural remedies are not always safe.
• You should not take them if you are pregnant or breast-feeding without your healthcare provider's approval. They should not be taken by infants, children, or older adults without your provider's approval.
• They affect your body and may interact with prescription medicines that you take.
• Natural remedies are not standardized. They may have different strengths and effects. They may also be contaminated.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its desirable effects, this remedy may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the remedy. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious: Trouble breathing, muscle spasms.

Other: Dizziness, vomiting, dry mouth, nosebleeds, thirst, increased sweating.

What products might interact with this remedy?

When you take this remedy with other medicines, it can change the way the remedy or the medicines work. Vitamins and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Before taking this remedy, talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• ACE inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril, enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril, lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), quinapril (Accupril), and ramipril (Altace)
• alpha blockers such as prazosin (Minipress) and doxazosin (Cardura)
• beta blockers such as acebutolol (Sectral), atenolol (Tenormin), carvedilol (Coreg), labetalol (Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), nadolol (Corgard), pindolol, propranolol (Inderal LA), and sotalol (Betapace)
• birth control pills, rings, patches, and implants and hormones such as conjugated estrogens (Premarin), estradiol (Estrace), medroxyprogesterone (Provera), and norethindrone (Aygestin, Camila, Jolivette, Micronor)
• calcium channel blockers such as diltiazem (Cardizem), felodipine, isradipine (DynaCirc CR), nicardipine (Cardene), nifedipine (Adalat CC, Procardia), and verapamil (Calan, Covera-HS, Isoptin SR, Verelan, Tiazac)
• cholesterol-lowering medicines (statins) such as atorvastatin (Lipitor), lovastatin (Mevacor), rosuvastatin (Crestor), simvastatin (Zocor), cholestyramine (Questran) and colestipol (Colestid)
• diuretics (water pills) such as amiloride, bumetanide, chlorothiazide (Diuril), furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide), spironolactone (Aldactone), torsemide (Demadex), and triamterene (Dyrenium)
• MAO inhibitor antidepressants such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), and tranylcypromine (Parnate) (Do not take this medicine and an MAO inhibitor within 14 days of each other.)
• medicine that reduces the chance of blood clots forming such as aspirin, warfarin (Coumadin), clopidogrel (Plavix), enoxaparin (Lovenox), dalteparin (Fragmin), and heparin
• natural remedies such as angelica, cat's claw, coenzyme Q-10, fish oil, L-arginine, stinging nettle, clove, danshen, valerian, anise, arnica, capsicum, celery, chamomile, fenugreek, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, panax ginseng, horse chestnut, horseradish, licorice, papain, passionflower, red clover, turmeric, and willow
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) such as diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam), ibuprofen (Motrin, Motrin IB, Advil), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen, ketorolac (Toradol), nabumetone (Relafen), naproxen (Naprosyn, Anaprox, Aleve, Naprelan), oxaprozin (Daypro), piroxicam (Feldene), and sulindac (Clinoril)
• thyroid medicine such as levothyroxine (Levothroid, Levoxyl, Synthroid, Unithroid), liothyronine (Cytomel, Triostat), liotrix (Thyrolar), and thyroid (Armour Thyroid)

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

Keep all natural remedies and medicines out of the reach of children.

This advisory includes select information only. The information was obtained from scientific journals, study reports, and other documents. The author and publisher make no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the information. The advisory may not include all side effects associated with a remedy or interactions with other medicines. Nothing herein shall constitute a recommendation for the use of any remedy. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information.