Serenoa

 
Generic Name: saw palmetto

What is the most important information I should know about Serenoa?

· Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you have:     ·cancer of the prostate,     ·breast cancer, or     ·any other sex hormone-related disease or disorder.

· Serenoa may affect hormone levels in your body which could be dangerous if you have any of the conditions listed above.

· Do not take Serenoa without first seeing your doctor for a diagnosis of BPH. Other conditions, including cancer of the prostate, may produce symptoms similar to BPH.

· Men over the age of 50 should have their prostate examined by a doctor on a regular basis. Serenoa is not a cure for BPH, it has only been used for relief of the symptoms of BPH.

· Serenoa has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or purity. All potential risks and/or advantages of Serenoa 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.

 

What is Serenoa?

· The use of Serenoa 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.

· Serenoa is also known as sabal, serenoa, American dwarf palm tree, and cabbage palm.

· Serenoa has been used to treat the symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), which is an enlargement of the prostate gland (not due to cancer). Serenoa has also been used to relieve difficult urination that may be associated with BPH and to relieve the symptoms of an irritable bladder.

· Serenoa has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or purity. All potential risks and/or advantages of Serenoa 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.

· Serenoa may have uses other than those listed in this product guide.

 

Who should not take Serenoa?

· Before taking Serenoa, 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. Serenoa may not be recommended in some situations.

· Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you have:     ·cancer of the prostate,     ·breast cancer, or     ·any other sex hormone-related disease or disorder.

· Serenoa may affect hormone levels in your body which could be dangerous if you have any of the conditions listed above.

· Do not take Serenoa without first seeing your doctor for a diagnosis of BPH. Other conditions, including cancer of the prostate, may produce symptoms similar to BPH.

· Do not take Serenoa without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant. It is not known whether Serenoa will harm an unborn baby. Since Serenoa may alter hormonal activity, it could be dangerous during pregnancy.

· Do not take Serenoa without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. It is also not known whether Serenoa will harm a nursing infant. Since Serenoa may alter hormonal activity, it could be dangerous during breast-feeding.

· There is no information available regarding the use of Serenoa by children. Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without first talking to the child's doctor.

 

How should I take Serenoa?

· The use of Serenoa 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 Serenoa, 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.

· Serenoa is available in oral preparations.

· It has been reported that Serenoa may require 30 days of regular use before any beneficial effects are seen.

· Serenoa has reportedly been used continuously for many years without evidence of side effects.

· Men over the age of 50 should have their prostate examined by a doctor on a regular basis. Serenoa is not a cure for BPH, it has only been used for relief of the symptoms of BPH.

· Do not take more of this product than is recommended.

· Do not use different formulations (e.g., tablets, topical formulations, teas, tinctures, and others) of Serenoa 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 Serenoa.

· Store Serenoa as directed on the package. In general, Serenoa should be protected from light and moisture.

 

What happens if I miss a dose?

· No information is available regarding a missed dose of Serenoa. Consult your doctor, pharmacist, or health care professional if you require further information.

 

What happens if I overdose?

· Seek emergency medical attention.

· Symptoms of a Serenoa overdose have not been reported.

 

What should I avoid while taking Serenoa?

· There are no known restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while taking Serenoa, unless otherwise directed by your health care professional.

 

What are the possible side effects of Serenoa?

· Although uncommon, allergic reactions to Serenoa have been reported. Stop taking Serenoa and seek emergency medical attention if you experience symptoms of a serious allergic reaction including difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives.

· Other less serious side effects have also been reported. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you experience     ·cramping,     ·nausea,     ·diarrhea, or     ·headache.

· Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

 

What other drugs will affect Serenoa?

· Do not take Serenoa without first talking to your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:     ·birth control pills such as Triphasil, Ovral, Lo-Ovral, Nordette, Alesse, Demulen, Ortho-Novum, and many others;     ·estrogen replacement products such as Premarin, Cenestin, Vivelle, Climara, Fempatch, and many others;     ·tamoxifen (Nolvadex) or toremifene (Fareston);     ·testosterone (Androderm, Testoderm) or another anabolic steroid; or     ·any other hormone-based medicine.

· Since Serenoa may affect hormones in your body, you may not be able to take Serenoa, or you may require special monitoring if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

· Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Serenoa or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care professional before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines or other herbal/health supplements.

 

Where can I get more information?

· Your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider may have more information about Serenoa.