Feverfew

Generic Name: feverfew (FEE ver few)

Brand Names:

What is feverfew?

The use of feverfew in cultural and traditional settings may differ from concepts accepted by current Western medicine. When considering the use of herbal supplements, consultation with a primary health care professional is advisable. Additionally, consultation with a practitioner trained in the uses of herbal/health supplements may be beneficial, and coordination of treatment among all health care providers involved may be advantageous.

Feverfew is also known as Tanacetum parthenium, featherfew, bachelor's button, flirtwort, altamisa, featherfoil, febrifuge plant, midsummer daisy, nosebleed, Santa Maria, wild chamomile, and wild quinine.

Feverfew has been used to prevent migraine headaches. Feverfew has also been used in the prevention and treatment of asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, painful menstrual periods, inflammatory skin conditions such as psoriasis, toothache, and insect bites.

Feverfew has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or purity. All potential risks and/or advantages of feverfew may not be known. Additionally, there are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for these compounds. There have been instances where herbal/health supplements have been sold which were contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.

Feverfew may also have uses other than those listed in this product guide.

What is the most important information I should know about feverfew?

Do not take feverfew without first talking to your doctor if you have a bleeding or blood clotting disorder; if you are taking a medicine to prevent blood clots; or if you are taking other medications, herbs, antioxidants, or health supplements (these may also affect blood clotting). Feverfew may affect the time it takes for your blood to clot.

Feverfew has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or purity. All potential risks and/or advantages of feverfew may not be known. Additionally, there are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for these compounds. There have been instances where herbal/health supplements have been sold which were contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking feverfew?

Do not take feverfew if you have a known allergy or hypersensitivity to chamomile, ragweed, yarrow, or other plants in the Asteraceae family. Also, do not take feverfew if you develop a rash after touching the feverfew plant. You may be more likely to have a serious allergic reaction to feverfew. Do not take feverfew without first talking to your doctor if you have a bleeding or blood clotting disorder; if you are taking a medicine to prevent blood clots; or if you are taking other medications, herbs, antioxidants, or health supplements (these may also affect blood clotting). Feverfew may affect the time it takes for your blood to clot.

Before taking feverfew, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care professional if you have any other medical conditions, allergies (especially to plants), or if you take other medicines or other herbal/health supplements. Feverfew may not be recommended in some situations.

Do not take feverfew without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy. Feverfew has been reported to have the potential to harm an unborn baby. Do not take feverfew without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. It is not known whether feverfew will harm a nursing infant. There is no information available regarding the use of feverfew by children. Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without first talking to the child's doctor.

How should I take feverfew?

The use of feverfew in cultural and traditional settings may differ from concepts accepted by current Western medicine. When considering the use of herbal supplements, consultation with a primary health care professional is advisable. Additionally, consultation with a practitioner trained in the uses of herbal/health supplements may be beneficial, and coordination of treatment among all health care providers involved may be advantageous.

If you choose to take feverfew, use it as directed on the package or as directed by your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Standardized extracts, tinctures, and solid formulations of herbal/health supplements may provide a more reliable dose of the product.

Different formulations of feverfew are available to be used internally (orally) and externally (topically).

Do not use different formulations (e.g., tablets, topical formulations, teas, tinctures, and others) of feverfew at the same time, unless specifically directed to do so by a health care professional. Using different formulations together increases the risk of an overdose of feverfew.

Store feverfew as directed on the package. In general, feverfew should be protected from light and moisture and stored in a sealed container.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra feverfew to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking feverfew?

Follow your healthcare provider's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

Feverfew side effects

Although uncommon, allergic reactions to feverfew have been reported. Stop taking feverfew and seek emergency medical attention if you experience symptoms of a serious allergic reaction including difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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  a dry or sore tongue,

  
  


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  loss of taste,

  
  


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  an unpleasant or bitter taste in your mouth,

  
  


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  indigestion,

  
  


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  flatulence,

  
  


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  diarrhea, or

  
  


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  nausea or vomiting.

  
  

Nervousness, tension headache, insomnia, stiffness and pain the joints, and tiredness have been reported following the discontinuation of feverfew.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect feverfew?

Do not take feverfew without first talking to your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

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  warfarin (Coumadin);

  
  


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  aspirin;

  
  


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  a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) including ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin, others), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Naprelan, Anaprox, others), ketoprofen (Orudis KT, Orudis), indomethacin (Indocin), etodolac (Lodine), nabumetone (Relafen), oxaprozin (Daypro), piroxicam (Feldene), sulindac (Clinoril), tolmetin (Tolectin), and others;

  
  


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  ardeparin (Normiflo);

  
  


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  dalteparin (Fragmin);

  
  


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  danaparoid (Orgaran);

  
  


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  enoxaparin (Lovenox);

  
  


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  heparin; or

  
  


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  other herbs, antioxidants, or health supplements (these may affect blood clotting).

  
  

You may not be able to take feverfew, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with feverfew or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care professional before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines or other herbal/health supplements.

More feverfew resources

• Feverfew Side Effects (in more detail)
• Feverfew Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Feverfew Drug Interactions
• Feverfew Support Group
• 0 Reviews for Feverfew - Add your own review/rating

• Feverfew Natural MedFacts for Professionals (Wolters Kluwer)


• Feverfew Natural MedFacts for Consumers (Wolters Kluwer)


• Feverfew MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)

Compare feverfew with other medications

• Asthma
• Herbal Supplementation
• Migraine
• Migraine Prevention
• Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
• Psoriasis
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Urticaria

Where can I get more information?

• Consult with a licensed healthcare professional before using any herbal/health supplement. Whether you are treated by a medical doctor or a practitioner trained in the use of natural medicines/supplements, make sure all your healthcare providers know about all of your medical conditions and treatments.

See also: feverfew side effects (in more detail)