Cranberry

Cranberry is suggested for use in urinary tract infection (UTI) prevention, as a urinary deodorizer for incontinent patients, to treat type 2 diabetes, chronic fatigue syndrome, scurvy, pleurisy, as a diuretic, antiseptic, antipyretic, and to treat cancer.

• Studies show significant reduction in the risk of recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI's) in the elderly, hospitalized patients, and pregnant women.
• There is no reliable evidence that shows effectiveness for treating urinary tract infection (UTI).
• Urinary odor: Preliminary research shows there may be a reduction in urinary odor in patients receiving oral cranberry.
• Diabetes: Clinical studies show NO improvement in fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, fructosamine, triglyceride, HDL cholesterol, or LDL cholesterol levels in patients with type 2 diabetes.
• Cranberry is available under the following different brand names: American cranberry, black cranberry, European cranberry, low cranberry, mossberry, Oxycoccus macrocarpus, trailing swamp cranberry, Vaccinium edule, Vaccinium erythrocarpum, vaccinium macrocarpon, Vaccinium occycoccus, and Vaccinium vitis.

Dosages of Cranberry:

Suggested Dosing

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), Prevention

Juice

• Cranberry juice cocktail (26% cranberry juice): 10-16 oz/day orally
• Cranberry juice: 15 mL twice a day orally

Capsule

• 400 mg twice a day orally

Topical

• Leaves are used for bruises, sprains, wounds, and burns

Urinary Deodorizer for Incontinent Patients

Cranberry juice cocktail

• 3-6 oz/day orally

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows:

• See “Suggested Dosing”

Common side effects of Cranberry include:

• Stomach or abdominal upset
• Diarrhea
• Kidney stones at high doses
• Increased risk of cancer oxalate uroliths in predisposed patients

This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur. Check with your physician for additional information about side effects.

If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• Cranberry has no known severe, serious, or moderate interactions with other drugs.
• Mild Interactions of cranberry include:
  • Warfarin

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions, concerns, or for more information about this medicine.

Warnings

This medication contains cranberry. Do not take American cranberry, black cranberry, European cranberry, low cranberry, mossberry, Oxycoccus macrocarpus, trailing swamp cranberry, Vaccinium edule, Vaccinium erythrocarpum, vaccinium macrocarpon, Vaccinium occycoccus, or Vaccinium vitis if you are allergic to cranberry or any ingredients contained in this drug.

Keep out of reach of children. In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center immediately.

Contraindications

• History of kidney stones

Effects of Drug Abuse

• No information available

Short-Term Effects

• See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Cranberry?"

Long-Term Effects

• See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Cranberry?"

Cautions

• Atrophic gastritis, hypochlorhydria
• Potential interaction with warfarin and increased bleeding risk.
• Potential hypersensitivity.
• No evidence for efficacy in treatment.

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Avoid use of cranberry during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Consult your doctor.