Bearberry (arbutin, arctostaphylos uva ursi, mountain cranberry, uva ursi)
Classes: Urology, Herbals
Suggested dosing of Arbutin, arctostaphylos uva ursi (bearberry)
Dried herb
1.5-4 g PO qd
Tea
One cup of tea PO QId
Steep 3 grams dried leaf in 150 mL cold water for 12-24 hours and then strain
Fluid extract (1:1 in 25% alcohol)
1.5-4 mL PO TId
Hydroquinone derivative, calculated as water-free arbutin
100-210 mg PO QId
Suggested uses of Arbutin, arctostaphylos uva ursi (bearberry)
Urinary tract antibacterial, astringent
Efficacy
Possibly effective for urinary tract inflammation
Currently is not clear if extended use is safe, tell patients not to use long-term
More evidence is needed to support use for UTI's
Arbutin, arctostaphylos uva ursi (bearberry) adverse (side) effects
Nausea, vomiting, greenish-brown urine
Warnings
Contraindications
Renal impairment
Cautions
WARNING: urine must be alkaline for efficacy
Pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy category: unsafe
Lactation: N/A
Pregnancy categories
A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.
C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.
D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.
X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.
NA: Information not available.
Pharmacology of Arbutin, arctostaphylos uva ursi (bearberry)
Metabolism: N/A
Excretion: N/A
Mechanism of action
Arbutin, tannins, hydroquinone: antimicrobial, astringent
