Cascara Sagrada

Cascara Sagrada relieves occasional constipation. Can cause stomach cramps.

Cascara Sagrada Overview

Reviewed: July 15, 2014
Updated: 

Cascara sagrada is a shrub. The dried bark is used as medicine. 

Cascara sagrada is used most often for occasional constipation

Cascara sagrada is thought to work by speeding up the movement of food through the digestive system. 

Common side effects of cascara sagrada include stomach discomfort and cramps.

Cascara Sagrada Cautionary Labels

precautions

Cascara sagrada is used most often for occasional constipation .

Cascara sagrada may be used for other conditions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Side Effects of Cascara Sagrada

Common side effects of cascara sagrada include:

  • Stomach discomfort 
  • Stomach cramps

This is not a complete list of cascara sagrada side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Cascara Sagrada Interactions

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

  • Digoxin (Lanoxin) 
  • Corticosteroids (such as prednisone) 
  • Diuretic drugs (water pills such as hydrochlorothaize, furosemide, and chorthalidone) 
  • Stimulant laxatives (such as Senokot and Dulcolax) 

Speeding up the digestive system may result in reduce absorption of any drug taken by mouth.  

This is not a complete list of cascara sagrada drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Cascara Sagrada Precautions

Special precautions & warnings:

  • Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using cascara sagrada if you are pregnant, breast-feeding, or trying to become pregnant. 
  • Cascara sagrada should not be used by individuals with partial or complete blockage of the small or large intestine, loss of intestinal muscle strength, inflammatory diseases of the colon (ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn disease), inflammation of the appendix (appendicitis), severe dehydration, or chronic constipation. 
  • Certain components of the bark are eliminated by the kidney and may color the urine orange, which is harmless.
  • Do not use cascara sagrada for longer than 2 weeks because of the risk of electrolyte imbalance (imbalance of potassium, sodium, and chloride in the body) and dehydration.
  • Fresh cascara sagrada has to be dried for at least 1 year or aged before it can be used. Use of fresh bark may cause severe vomiting.