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Cat's Claw Side Effects & Safety

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement. Full disclaimer

Safety Profile

Overall safety rating: Safe with Caution

Potential Side Effects

  • Gastrointestinal discomfort (nausea, diarrhea) in some users
  • Headache or dizziness (uncommon)
  • Hypotension at high doses
  • Contraindicated in autoimmune conditions without medical supervision due to immune-modulating effects

Drug & Supplement Interactions

  • Immunosuppressants — cat's claw may modulate immune function; use caution with transplant or autoimmune medications
  • Anticoagulants — may have mild antiplatelet effects; monitor with blood thinners
  • Antihypertensives — cat's claw may lower blood pressure; additive hypotensive effect possible
  • CYP3A4 substrates — may inhibit CYP3A4 enzyme, affecting drug metabolism

Maximum Dose

Do not exceed: Up to 350mg/day extract has been studied; traditional bark tea uses up to 4g dried bark daily

Full Cat's Claw Guide

References

  1. (). Randomized double blind trial of an extract from the pentacyclic alkaloid-chemotype of Uncaria tomentosa for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Journal of Rheumatology.
  2. (). Efficacy and safety of freeze-dried cat's claw in osteoarthritis of the knee: mechanisms of action of the species Uncaria guianensis. Inflammation Research. DOI
  3. (). Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa and Uncaria guianensis) are independent of their alkaloid content. Phytomedicine. DOI