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.