Butterbur (blatterdock, bog rhubarb, bogshorns, butterdock, capdockin, flapperdock, langwort, petadolex, petasites spp, umbrella plant)

Suggested dosing of Blatterdock, bog rhubarb (butterbur)

 

Migraine

50 mg PO TID OR 100 mg PO BID x4 weeks, THEn

50 mg PO BId

 

Allergic Rhinitis

50 mg extract generally standardized to contain 7.5 mg petasins PO BId

Leaf extract: 8 mg of petasin, 1 tablet PO TID-QId

 

Suggested uses of Blatterdock, bog rhubarb (butterbur)

Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis (Hay Fever)

Migraine prophylaxis

 

Blatterdock, bog rhubarb (butterbur) adverse (side) effects

None reported

 

Warnings

Cautions

Contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids (especially in roots), which may be carcinogenic & hepatotoxic (commercial preparations are generally pyrrolizidine-free)

 

Pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy category: N/A

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 Blatterdock, bog rhubarb (butterbur)

Metabolism:

Excretion:

 

Mechanism of action

Contains Petasin, a sesquiterpene ester, that has leukotriene inhibitory function

Efficacy: clinical studies show efficacy similar to fexofenadine in relieving hay fever symptoms & greater effctivity over placebo in migraine prophylaxis