Aloe

What is it?
Aloe is an herbal medicine used in skin ointments and creams to treat wounds, burns, or other skin problems. It is also used to treat genital herpes which is an infection spread by having sex. Aloe may be used to treat ulcers, nausea (upset stomach), or constipation (hard bowel movements).

Other names for aloe include: Aloe vera.

Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist if you need more information about this medicine or if any information in this leaflet concerns you.

Before Using:
Tell your doctor if you ...

• are taking medicine or are allergic to any medicine (prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) or dietary supplement)
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medicine
• are breast feeding
• have any other health problems, such as high blood pressure or heart or blood vessel disease

Dosage:
Talk with your caregiver about how much aloe you should take. The amount depends on the strength of the medicine and the reason you are taking aloe. If you are using this medicine without instructions from your caregiver, follow the directions on the label. Do not take more aloe or take it more often than what is written on the directions.

To store this medicine:
Keep all medicine locked up and away from children. Store medicine away from heat and direct light. Do not store your medicine in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down and not work the way it should work. Throw away medicine that is out of date or that you do not need. Never share your medicine with others.

Drug and Food Interactions:
Do not take aloe without talking to your doctor first if you are taking:

• Laxatives (examples: senna, cascara, docusate (Colace(R)), psyllium (Metamucil(R) Fiberall(R)), bisacodyl (Dulcolax(R)). Aloe taken by mouth should not be taken with other laxatives unless it is OK with your doctor.
• Digoxin (Lanoxin(R))
• Medicines used to lower blood sugar (examples: glyburide (DiaBet(R), Glynase PresTab(R), Micronase(R)), metformin (Glucophage(R), pioglitazone (Actos(R))
• Medicines used as a general anesthetic for surgery (example: sevoflurane (Ultane(R)) (8)

Warnings:

• Before taking aloe, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast feeding
• Do not take aloe by mouth if you have bowel problems of any kind (recent abdominal or bowel surgery or bowel blockage)
• Do not take aloe by mouth if you have nausea or vomiting
• Do not take aloe by mouth if you have abdominal (belly) pain that your a doctor has not treated
• Children under age 12 years should not take aloe

Side Effects:
Stop taking your medicine right away and talk to your doctor if you have any of the following side effects. Your medicine may be causing these symptoms, which may mean that you are allergic to it.

• Breathing problems or tightness in your throat or chest
• Chest pain
• Skin hives, rash, or itchy or swollen skin

Other Side Effects:
You may have the following side effects, but this medicine may also cause other side effects. Tell your doctor if you have side effects that you think are caused by this medicine.

• Fever, chills, or low back pain
• Headache, tiredness, painful urination
• Itching, redness, pain, or a rash when aloe gel is used on the skin
• Large amount of watery or bloody diarrhea (loose stools)
• Muscle weakness
• Nausea, vomiting, belly pain, or diarrhea if you take aloe by mouth
• Weight loss

References:
1. Bisset NG (ed): Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL; 1994.
2. McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R et al (eds): Aloe. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL; 1997.
3. Blumenthal M, Busse WR, Goldberg A et al (eds): Aloe. The Complete German Commission E Monographs, 1st ed. The American Botanical Council, Austin, TX; 1998.
4. Leung AY: Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics. Wiley, New York, NY; 1980.
5. Reynolds JEF (ed): Martindale: The Extra Pharmacopoeia, 28th edition. The Pharmaceutical Press, London, England; 1982.
6. Morrow DM, Rapaport MJ & Strick R: Hypersensitivity to aloe. Arch Dermatol 1980; 1126:1064-1065.
7. Bunyapraphatsara N, Yongchaiyudha A & Chokechaijaroenporn O: Antidiabetic activity of Aloe vera juice, II: clinical trial in diabetes mellitus patients in combination with glibenclamide. Phytomedicine 1996; 3:245-248.
8. Lee A, Chui PT, Aun CST et al: Possible interaction between sevoflurane and Aloe vera. Ann Pharmacother 2004; 38:1651-1654.
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