pennyroyal

	What is the most important information I should know about pennyroyal?
	What is pennyroyal?
	Who should not take pennyroyal?
	How should I take pennyroyal?
	What happens if I miss a dose?
	What happens if I overdose?
	What should I avoid while taking pennyroyal?
	What are the possible side effects of pennyroyal?
	What other drugs will affect pennyroyal?
	Where can I get more information?
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Since the use of pennyroyal oil has been associated with serious, even fatal, liver and kidney damage, oral or topical use of pennyroyal oil is generally not recommended.

Pennyroyal oil has been associated with cases of severe liver and kidney damage. Notify your doctor immediately if you develop nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, unusual fatigue, loss of appetite, yellow skin or eyes, itching, dark urine, clay colored stools, or little or no urine. These symptoms may be early signs of liver or kidney damage.

Do not take pennyroyal without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant. In large doses, pennyroyal has been reported to cause abortion. Fatalities have resulted from the doses of oil required to exert an abortifacient effect.

Pennyroyal has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or purity. All potential risks and/or advantages of pennyroyal 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.

The use of pennyroyal 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.

Pennyroyal is also known as Mentha pulegium, pulegium, American pennyroyal, run-by-the-ground, lurk-in-the-ditch, pudding grass, piliolerial, mosquito plant, squaw balm, and squawmint tickweed.

Pennyroyal has been used for digestive disorders, liver and gallbladder disorders, gout, colds, increased urination, as an insect repellant, to induce menstruation, and topically for skin diseases.

Since the use of pennyroyal oil has been associated with serious, even fatal, liver and kidney damage, oral or topical use of pennyroyal oil is generally not recommended.

Pennyroyal has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or purity. All potential risks and/or advantages of pennyroyal 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.

Pennyroyal may also have uses other than those listed in this medication guide.

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

Do not take pennyroyal without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant. In large doses, pennyroyal has been reported to cause abortion. Fatalities have resulted from the doses of oil required to exert an abortifacient effect.

Do not take pennyroyal without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. It is also not known whether pennyroyal will harm a nursing infant.

There is no information available regarding the use of pennyroyal by children. Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without first talking to the child's doctor.

The use of pennyroyal 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.

Since the use of pennyroyal oil has been associated with serious, even fatal, liver and kidney damage, oral or topical use of pennyroyal oil is generally not recommended.

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

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

To ensure the correct dose, measure the liquid forms of pennyroyal with a dropper or a dose-measuring spoon or cup.

Some forms of pennyroyal can be brewed to form a tea for drinking.

Do not use different formulations (e.g., liquids, teas, and others) of pennyroyal 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 pennyroyal.

Store pennyroyal as directed on the package. In general, pennyroyal should be protected from light.

No information is available regarding a missed dose of pennyroyal. Consult your doctor, pharmacist, or health care professional if you require further information.

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of a pennyroyal overdose have included abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, agitation, delirium, seizures, fever, increased blood pressure and pulse rate, rash, paralysis, liver damage, kidney damage, unconsciousness, and death.

There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while taking pennyroyal, unless otherwise directed by your health care provider.

Although rare, allergic reactions to pennyroyal may occur. Stop taking pennyroyal 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.

Pennyroyal oil has been associated with cases of severe liver and kidney damage. Notify your doctor immediately if you develop nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, unusual fatigue, loss of appetite, yellow skin or eyes, itching, dark urine, clay colored stools, or little or no urine. These symptoms may be early signs of liver or kidney damage.

Pennyroyal oil has also been associated with the following side effects:

• abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
• lethargy, paralysis, and unconsciousness;
• agitation and delirium;
• seizures;
• fever;
• increased blood pressure and pulse rate; and
• rash.

Stop taking pennyroyal and contact your doctor or health care provider immediately if you develop any of the side effects listed above.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

Interactions between pennyroyal and other prescription or over-the-counter medicines or herbal/health supplements have not been reported. Talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care professional before taking pennyroyal if you are taking any other medicines or supplements.

Your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider may have more information about pennyroyal.