| Corkwood contains alkaloids, including hyoscyamine, | | | | components, atropine, or scopolamine should avoid use. |
| hyoscine, scopolamine, atropine, and butropine. These | | | | Patients who are pregnant or breast-feeding and |
| components have potent anticholinergic properties and | | | | patients with glaucoma, intestinal disease or obstruction, |
| can be fatal in large doses. Corkwood is available as | | | | heart disease, or myasthenia gravis should avoid use. |
| extract, leaves, and twigs. | | | | Clinical considerations |
| Reported uses | | | | Safety Risk Corkwood Contain scopolamine, which is |
| Corkwood is used for its stimulant, euphoric, and | | | | fatal in large doses. |
| hallucinogenic effects and may be used to treat | | | | Inform patient that corkwood isn't recommended for |
| motion sickness. Some patients chew the leaves and | | | | medicinal use and can be dangerous or fatal in high |
| twigs. In homeopathy, corkwood is used to treat eye | | | | doses. |
| disorders. | | | | Monitor patient for anticholinergic adverse effects and |
| Corkwood was used as a substitute for atropine and | | | | drug interactions, including rapid heart rate, decreased |
| scopolamine before commercial sources were readily | | | | salivation, urine retention, constipation, and psychosis. |
| available. | | | | Tell patient that sgns and symptoms of overdose |
| Medicinal use of corkwood isn't currently | | | | include tachycardia, tachypnea, constipation, urine |
| recommended. | | | | retention, dry mouth, and CNS disturbances. Instruct |
| Administration | | | | him to promptly report adverse reactions and any new |
| The use of corkwood is not well documented. | | | | signs or symptoms. |
| Hazards | | | | If patient is pregnant or breast-feeding, advise her not |
| Adverse effects associated with the use of | | | | to use corkwood. |
| corkwood include drowsiness, euphoria, excitation, | | | | Tell patient to remind prescriber and pharmacist of any |
| hallucinations, other central nervous system (CNS) | | | | herbal or dietary supplement that he's taking when |
| disturbances, altered heart rate, blurred vision, dry | | | | obtaining a new prescription. |
| mucous membranes, paralyzed eye muscles, | | | | Advise patient to consult his health care provider |
| constipation, urine retention, and tachypnea. | | | | before using an herbal preparation because a |
| Corkwood potentiates the anticholinergic effects of | | | | treatment with proven efficacy may be available. |
| anticholinergics, such as atropine and tricyclic | | | | Research summary |
| antidepressants. Corkwood may interfere with the | | | | The concepts behind the use of corkwood and the |
| efficacy of antiparkinsonians. | | | | claims made regarding its effects have not yet been |
| Patients with an allergy to corkwood or any of its | | | | validated scientifically. |