Crataegus

 
Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)

CRATAEGUS
 •    Ingredients and active components

• Tablet: Standardized dry extract of Hawthorn leaves, flower or fruits and buds (Crataegous oxyacantha L.)

Each tablet contains 275 mg of standardized dry extract.

• Drop:   Standardized dry extract of Hawthorn (Crataegous oxyacantha L.) aerial parts: leaves, flower or fruits and buds

Each 100 ml contains 5g of standardized dry extract.
 

•    What CRATAEGUS is used for 

• Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
• angina pectoris
• hypertension
• atherosclerosis
• stress-induced palpitation

 
•    How CRATAEGUS works 
The cardiovascular effect of this medicine is due to flavonoids, especially procyanidins. In vivo and in vitro studies have shown that Crataegus helps to improve heart circulation (by vasodilatation of coronary arteries), decreases blood pressure (by inhibiting Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) and dilation of blood arteries) and improves arrhythmia (by increasing the refractory period of heart muscle by blocking the potassium channels).
 

•    Before you use CRATAEGUS
Use during Pregnancy and Lactation
No data exist on the excretion of any components of hawthorn into breast milk or on the safety and efficacy of hawthorn in nursing mothers or infants

•    Taking CRATAEGUS
‎How and when to ‎take it 
Tablet: 2 tablets twice daily, preferably with a meal.   
 Drop: initial dose: 60-70 drops, 3 times a day for the first 3-4 days.
           Maintenance dose: 25 drops, 3 times a day.

‎What to do if you miss a dose 
If you miss a dose of the product, try to take it as soon as remember if it’s almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take two doses of it at the same time.
 

•    While you are taking CRATAEGUS
‎Things you must do‎ 

• People who use any other cardiovascular medicine concurrently should consult their physician.

‎Things you ‎must not do ‎ 

• Since Crataegus has antiarrhythmic effects similar to class Ш antiarrhythmic drugs (potassium channel blockers such as Amiodarone), therefore concurrent use of these drugs with Crataegus is not recommended.
• Since Crataegus has interaction with Cisapride therefore it should not be taken concurrently with this medicine.

 
‎Things to be careful of‎ 

• During the first 3 months of Pregnancy.
• Children less than 12 years.
• People who have a history of gastrointestinal disease.
• Crataegus may have synergistic effects on cardiac glycosides such as Digoxin.
• Concurrent use of Crataegus with β-blockers (such as Propranolol) may cause hypotension.
• Cardiovascular effect of this drug is increased if Vitamin B6, onion, garlic and magnesium supplements are used concurrently.

 
 
•    Side effects 

• With the recommended dose, no side effect is reported. Higher doses can cause hypotension, bradycardia, sedation, nausea, perspiration, dizziness and skin rash (usually on the palms).
• Since Crataegus inhibits ACE (Angiotensin Converting Enzyme) and ultimately prevents synthesis of aldosterone hormone, long term use of this medicine can lead to hyperkalemia.

 
•    After taking it
‎Storage 

• Store in a dry place, keep away from direct sunlight and below 25 °C.
• Keep out of sight and the reach of children.

‎Disposal 
Do not put into sewer lines. Dispose in the everyday rubbish bin.‎
 

•    The Product ‎ 
‎What CRATAEGUS looks like 
Dosage Form:

• Tablet

Packaging: 3 blisters each one containing 10 tablets inside cardboard box; patient information leaflet inside.

• Oral Drop

Packaging: 30ml, pharmaceutical brown glass bottle in a cardboard box; patient information leaflet inside.
 

‎Manufacturer 
This product is made from high quality local and imported herbs organically planted and ‎harvested. It has been formulated by ‎Iran Darouk Pharmaceuticals.‎