PDR for Herbal Medicines

666 /SAW PALMETTO PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

analogue scale, clinical global impression), urinary flow

rates (uroflowmetry) and residual urinary volume (transab-

dominal ultrasound). The Serenoa repens treatment group

had similar improvement to that of the alfuzosin treatment

group, but significant effects were in favor of the alfuzosin

treatment group with overall clinical impression and visual

analogue scale (Grasso, 1995).

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Approved by Commission E:

• Prostate complaints


• Irritable bladder

Saw Palmetto is used for urination problems in benign

prostate hyperplasia stages I and II. This medication relieves

only the difficulties associated with an enlarged prostate

without reducing the enlargement.

Unproven Uses: In folk medicine, Saw Palmetto is used for

inflammation of the urinary trnct, bladder, testicles and

mammary glands. It has been used for nocturnal enuresis,

persistant cough, eczema and improvement of libido.

Homeopathic Uses: The herb is used for micturation

problems and inflammation of the urinary tract.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction

with the proper administration of designated therapeutic

dosages. Stomach complaints following intake have been

observed in rare cases. Patients with hormone-dependent

cancers should observe caution and speak to a physician

regarding the use of Saw Palmetto because of its anti-

estrogenic, estrogenic and anti-androgenic effects. The use of

Saw Palmetto with pregnancy and breast feeding is not

recommended due to its potential hormonal effects.

Drug Interactions: Saw Palmetto is believed to exert

estrogen, androgen and alpha-adrenergic blocking effects.

Because of this, the use of hormones, hormone-like drugs or

adrenergic drugs concomitantly may need to be adjusted.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Comminuted herb and other galenic

preparations for oral use.

How Supplied:

Capsule—80 mg, 125 mg, 160 mg, 227 mg, 250 mg, 320 mg

450 mg, 500 mg, 565 mg, 570 mg, 585 mg, 600 mg, 1000

mg

Liquid—1:1
Daily Dosage: The average daily dose is 1 to 2 gm of the
drug or 320 mg of the lipophilic extract (hexane or ethanol
90% v/v). Dosages used in studies demonstrated efficacy at

160 mg given twice daily or 320 mg given once daily

(Carraro, 1996; Gerber, 1998; Grasso, 1995).

LITERATURE

Anonym, Welche Bedeutung haben pflanzliche Prostatamittel.

In: DAZ 133(9):720. 1993.

Aso Y, Boccon-Gibob L, Brendler CB et al., (1993) Clinical

research criteria. In: Cockett AT, Aso Y, Chatelain C, Denis L,

Griffith K, Murphy G (eds.), Proceedings of the second

international consultation on benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Paris, SCI S. 345-355.

Bach D, (1995) Medikamentose Langheitbehandlung der BPH

Ergebnisse einer prospektiven 3-Jahres-Studie mit dem

Sabalextrakt IDS 89. Urologe [B]35:178-183. ~ ~-

Bach D, Behandlung der benignen Prostatahypertrophie. In: ZPT

17(4):209-218. 1996.

Bach D, Ebeling L, Long-term drug treatment of benign

prostatic hyperplasia - Results of a prospective 3-year

multicenter study using Sabal extract IDS 89. In: Phytomedicine

3(2): 105-111. 1996.

Bauer R, Neues von "immunmodulierenden Drogen" und

"Drogen mit antiallergischer und antiinflammatorischer

Wirkung". In: ZPT 14(I):23-24. 1993.

Bazan NG, Authie D, Braquet P, Effect of Serenoa repens

extract (Permixon (r)) on estradiol/testosteron-induced

experimental prostate enlargement in the rat. In: Pharmacol Res

34(3/4): 171-179. 1996.

Becker H, Ebeling L, (1988) Konservative Therapie der

benignen Prostata-Hyperplasie (BPH) mit Cemilton (N) -

Ergebnisse einer placebokontrollierten Doppelblindstudie.

Urologe [B]28:301.

Becker H, Ebeling L, (1991) Phytotherapie der BPH mit

Cemilton(N) - Ergebnisse einer kontrollierten Verlaufsstudie.

Urologe [B]31:113.

Berges RR, Windeler J, Trampisch HJ, Senge TH, (1995)

Randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial of (3-

sitosterol in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Lancet

345:1529-1532.

Breu W, Hagenlocher M, Redl K et al., Antiphlogistische

Wirkung eines mit hyperkritischem Kohlendioxid gewonnenen

Sabalfrucht-Extraktes. In vitro Hemmung des Cyclooxygenase-

rund 5-Lipoxygenase-Metabolismus. Arzneiiriittelforschung 1992;

42:547.

Breu W, Stadler F, Hagenlocher M et al., Der Sabalfrucht-

Extrakt SG 291. Ein Phytotherapeutikum zur Behandlung der

benignen Prostatahyperplasie. Z Phytother 1992; 13:107-115.

Carraro JC et al., Comparision of phytotherapy (Permixon (R))

with finasteride in the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia:

a randomized international study of 1,098 patients. In: Prostate

29(4):231-240. 1996.

Carilla E, Briley M, Fauran F et al., Binding of Permixon(R), a

new treatment for prostatic benign hyperplasia, to the cytosolic