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 product 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 or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
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.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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);
enoxaparin (Lovenox);
heparin; or
danaparoid (Orgaran);
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.
This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with dong quai. Tell your healthcare provider about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your healthcare provider.
More dong quai resources
- Dong quai Side Effects (in more detail)
- Dong quai Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Dong quai Drug Interactions
- Dong quai Support Group
- 1 Review for Dong quai - Add your own review/rating
- Dong Quai Natural MedFacts for Professionals (Wolters Kluwer)
- Dong Quai Natural MedFacts for Consumers (Wolters Kluwer)
- Dong Quai MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
Compare dong quai with other medications
- Allergies
- Anemia
- Constipation, Chronic
- Headache
- Herbal Supplementation
- Muscle Spasm
- Osteoarthritis
- Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
Where can I get more information?
- Consult with a licensed healthcare professional before using any herbal/health supplement. Whether you are treated by a medical doctor or a practitioner trained in the use of natural medicines/supplements, make sure all your healthcare providers know about all of your medical conditions and treatments.
See also: dong quai side effects (in more detail)
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