Pau D'arco (La Pacho, Tabebuia avellanedae): Dosing and Uses

Suggested dosing of La Pacho, Tabebuia avellanedae (pau d'arco)

1-4 g/d div BID-TID, use not more than 7d

1 tsp bark steeped in boiling water, 2-8 x/day

Dose based on lapachol content; lapachol intake should be 1.5-2.0 g/day

Suggested uses of La Pacho, Tabebuia avellanedae (pau d'arco)

Antimicrobial, especially anti-Candida

Claimed to be anti-cancer

Efficacy

Insufficient reliable data available

La Pacho, Tabebuia avellanedae (pau d'arco) adverse (side) effects

Frequency not defined

Nausea

Vomiting

Dizziness

Anti-coagulant effects (reduced by using whole bark)

Warnings

Contraindications

N/A

Cautions

Products highly variable in lapachol content

Negative anti-cancer results found by NCI based on isolated lapachol; whole bark contains synergistic compounds that reduce ADR's

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 La Pacho, Tabebuia avellanedae (pau d'arco)

Metabolism: N/A

Excretion: N/A

Mechanism of action

AntimicrobiaL