Aloe

Aloe suggested uses include promoting wound healing, as anesthesia, as an antiseptic, for arthritis, burns, cold sores, fever, inflammation, as a moisturizer, and for itching.

• Aloe is possibly effective for pain, inflammation, and wound healing.
• Aloe is available under the following different brand and other names: Aloe vera, Aloe arborescens natalenis, Aloe barbadensis, Aloe ferox, and Aloe vulgari.

Suggested Dosing

Leaf gel cap

• 50-200 mg/day orally

Liquid

• 30 ml orally three times daily

Tincture

• 15-60 drops orally as needed; 1:10, 50% alcohol

Topical

• Apply 3-5 once/day as needed

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows:

• See "Suggested Dosing"

Common side effects of aloe include:

• blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
• Burning and itching of the skin (infrequent)
• Stomach pain and cramps (high doses)
• Diarrhea, kidney problems, blood in the urine, low potassium, muscle weakness, weight loss, and heart disturbances (long-term use at high doses)
• Liver problems (rare)

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.

• Aloe has no known severe, serious, moderate, or mild interactions with other drugs.

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. 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 this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions, concerns, or for more information about this medicine.

This medication contains aloe. Do not take Aloe vera, Aloe arborescens natalenis, Aloe barbadensis, Aloe ferox, or Aloe vulgaris if you are allergic to aloe 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

• None reported

Effects of Drug Abuse

• No information available

Short-Term Effects

• See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Aloe?"

Long-Term Effects

• See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Aloe?"

Cautions

• Abdominal discomfort (oral use), appendicitis (oral use), Crohn's disease (oral use), diabetes mellitus, hemorrhoids (oral use), intestinal obstruction (oral use), kidney disease (oral use), nausea/vomiting (oral use), peptic ulcer disease (PUD) (oral use), ulcerative colitis (oral use)

Pregnancy and Lactation

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