Eucalyptus

What is it?
Eucalyptus is an herbal medicine used to treat infection, fever, or to loosen a cough. It may also be used on the skin for sore muscles.

Other names for Eucalyptus include: Fever Tree, Eucalyptus globulus, Gum Tree, or Tasmanian Bluegum.

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 breastfeeding
• have liver disease or an inflamed (swollen and sore) stomach or intestinal tract
• have any other health problems, such as high blood pressure or heart or blood vessel disease

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

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 Throw away medicine that is out of date or that you do not need.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 Eucalyptus without talking to your doctor first if you are taking:

• Medicine to lower your blood sugar (examples: insulin, Glucophage(R) metformin, DiaBeta(R) Glynase(R) glyburide)))
• Medicines used for sleep, headache, seizures, or muscle relaxants (examples: butalbital (Amaphen(R), Esgic(R), Fioricet(R), Fiorinal(R), Fiortal(R), Phrenilin(R), Sedapap(R)); Mephobarbital (Mebaral(R)); Phenobarbital (Barbita(R), Luminal(R)))
• Medicines used to treat cancer or rheumatoid arthritis (examples: Carmustine (BiCNU(R)); Methotrexate (Folex(R), Rheumatrex(R)); Mercaptopurine (Purinethol(R)); Plicamycin (Mithracin(R)))
• Male hormones (examples: Danazol (Danocrine(R)); Fluoxymesterone (Halotestin(R)); Methyltestosterone (Android(R), Metandren(R), Oreton(R)); Oxandrolone (Oxandrin(R)); Oxymetholone (Anadrol(R)); Stanozolol (Winstrol(R)); Testosterone (Androderm(R), Testoderm(R)))
• Medicines used for high cholesterol: Atorvastatin (Lipitor(R)); Cerivastatin (Baycol(R)); Fluvastatin (Lescol(R)); Lovastatin (Mevacor(R)); Pravastatin (Pravachol(R)); Simvastatin (Zocor(R)) )
• Amiodarone (Cordarone(R), Pacerone(R)))
• Isoniazid (Laniazid(R), Nydrazid(R)))
• Medicines used to treat fungal infections (examples: Itraconazole (Sporanox(R)); Ketoconazole (Nizoral(R)); Terbinafine (Lamisil(R)))
• Tacrine (Cognex(R)))
• Valproic acid (Depacon(R), Depakene(R), Depakote(R)))
• Other herbs (examples: comfrey, chaparral, germander, jin bu huan, kava, pennyroyal, skullcap, valerian)

Warnings:

• Before taking Eucalyptus, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Eucalyptus oil or eucalyptol should not be taken by mouth or put on the skin without diluting (1)
• Do not take if you have liver disease (3)
• Do not take Eucalyptus with alcohol (6)
• Do not take if you have inflammation (soreness) in your intestinal tract (colon) (3)
• Less than a teaspoon of the undiluted oil may cause death (1)
• Do not use on the face of children or infants, especially around the nose (3)

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 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.

• Undiluted eucalyptus oil (or oil that has not been diluted enough) may cause nausea (stomach upset), vomiting (throwing up), dizziness, muscle weakness, confusion, and convulsions (uncontrolled shaking) (1)

References:
1. Newall CA, Anderson LA, Phillipson JD: Herbal Medicines. A Guide for Health-care Professionals. Pharmaceutical Press, London, UK; 1996.
2. Leung AY: Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs, and Biologicals, 11th edition. Merck, Rahway, NJ; 1989.
3. Blumenthal M, Busse WR, Goldberg A et al.: The Complete German Commission E Monographs. American Botanical Council, Austin, TX; 1998.
4. Blumenthal M, Goldberg E & Brinkmann E: Expanded Commission E Monographs. American Botanical Council, Austin, TX; 2000.
5. Jori A, Bianchetti A & Prestini PE: Effect of essential oils on drug metabolism. Biochem Pharmacol 1969; 18(9):2081-2085.
6. White RD, Swick RA & Cheeke PR: Effects of microsomal enzyme induction of the toxicity of pyrrolizidine (Senecio) alkaloids. J Toxicol Environ Health 1983; 12:633-640.