Cascara Bark

Stem plant

The parent plant of arnzeidroge is the American sloth tree D.C. of the buckthorn family.

Medicinal drug

Cascara bark (Rhamni purshiani cortex) is used as a medicinal drug. It consists of the dried whole or crushed bark of D.C. ( (D.C.) A. Gray) (PhEur). The pharmacopoeia requires a minimum content of hydroxyanthracene glycosides.

Ingredients

Relevant constituents include anthranoids (cascarosides, e.g., cascaroside A).

Effects

Cascara bark has laxative properties.

Indications for use

For short-term treatment of constipation.

Dosage

Cascara bark is administered in the form of finished medicines and as an infusion.

Contraindications

Pregnancy, Intestinal obstruction, Inflammatory bowel disease, Children < 12 years of age.

Interactions

With chronic use potassium loss: enhanced effect of cardiac glycosides, antiarrhythmics. Enhancement of hypokalemia by diuretics and other drugs that affect potassium excretion.

Adverse effects.

Electrolyte loss, constipation, discoloration of urine, pigment deposits in colon, crampy gastrointestinal symptoms.