eucalyptus

Complementary/Alternative Medicine: This monograph describes a natural or herbal product that is not subject to FDA guidelines for medicines. Patients and clinicians are advised to read package labels carefully to ensure safe and efficacious use.

REMS

Asthma.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Dental plaques.
Gingivitis.
Halitosis.

Action ⬆ ⬇

The volatile oil, eucalyptol, has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties

Therapeutic effects:

Reduction in use of steroids in asthma.
Reduction in COPD exacerbations.
Reduction in dental plaques.
Improvement in gingivitis and halitosis.

Pharmacokinetics ⬆ ⬇

Absorption: Unknown.

Distribution: Unknown.

Metabolism/Excretion: Unknown.

Half-Life: Unknown.

Time/Action Profile ⬆ ⬇

ROUTE	ONSET	PEAK	DURATION
PO, Topical	unknown	unknown	unknown

Contraind./Precautions ⬆ ⬇

Contraindicated in:

None reported.

Use Cautiously in:

Diabetes (leaf may have hypoglycemic activity);
Alcohol-containing products should be used cautiously in patients with known intolerance or liver disease;
OB: Pregnancy;
Lactation: Lactation;
Pedi: Children have ↑ susceptibility to toxic effects of oil
Ingestion of as little as 2–3 mL of essential oil may be toxic; greater amounts may be fatal.

Adv. Reactions/Side Effects ⬆ ⬇

Endo: hypoglycemia

GI: diarrhea, epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting

Neuro: cyanosis, delirium, drowsiness, SEIZURES (OVERDOSE)

Resp: PULMONARY EDEMA (OVERDOSE), dyspnea

Interactions ⬆ ⬇

Natural-Drug Products:

May ↑ risk of hypoglycemia with antidiabetic drugs.
Alcohol-containing preparations may interact with disulfiram and metronidazole.

Natural-Natural Products:

↑toxicity when used with other pyrrolizidine alkaloid-containing herbs, including: alkanna, borage, Crotolaria spp, gravel root, Heliotropium spp, hemp agrimony, Henecio spp, hound’s tongue, petasites, colt’s foot, and Senecio species plants: dusty miller, alpine ragwort, groundsel, golden ragwort, and tansy ragwort.

Route/Dosage ⬆ ⬇

PO (Adults ): Asthma: 200 mg of eucalyptol 3 times daily; COPD: 200 mg of eucalyptol 3 times daily; Dental plaques: Chew gum containing 0.3–0.6% eucalyptus extract 3-5 times daily. Gingivitis or halitosis: Chew gum containing 0.4–0.6% eucalyptus extract 5 times daily.

Availability ⬆ ⬇

Gum: ^OTC
Oil (contains 60–90% eucalyptol): ^OTC

Assessment ⬆ ⬇

Assess frequency and nature of cough and consistency and color of sputum. Unless contraindicated, encourage fluid intake of 1500– 2000 mL per day to ↓ viscosity of secretions and facilitate expectoration.
Assess for signs/symptoms of therapeutic response to treatment of affected gingiva (↓ swelling, erythema, halitosis) throughout therapy.
Monitor blood sugar in patients with diabetes.

Lab Test Considerations:

May cause hypoglycemia.

Implementation ⬆ ⬇

Dilute the oral and topical formulations before use.
Do not apply the topical formulation on the face, especially the nose, in infants and young children.

Patient/Family Teaching ⬆ ⬇

Explain purpose and side effects of eucalyptus.
Warn patients with chronic respiratory conditions or other medical comorbidities not to take this herbal supplement without the advice of their health care provider.
Caution patients with diabetes that use of this herbal supplement may interfere with glycemic control.
Inform patients that some formulations contain alcohol.
Instruct patients that if diarrhea, nausea, vomiting or epigastric pain develops to stop this herbal supplement and report this to their health care provider.
Advise patient to consult health care professional if cough is unresponsive cough or persistent cold symptoms occur.
Advise patient to notify health care professional of all Rx or OTC medications, vitamins, or herbal products being taken and to consult with health care professional before taking other medications.
Rep: Advise women of reproductive potential to notify health care professional if pregnancy is planned or suspected or if breastfeeding.

Evaluation/Desired Outcomes ⬆ ⬇

Reduction in use of steroids in asthma.
Reduction in COPD exacerbations.
Reduction in dental plaques.
Improvement in gingivitis and halitosis.

US Brand Names ⬆ ⬇

Blue Gum, Eucalyptus folium, Eucalyptus globulus, Eucalyptus smithii, Gum Tree, Red Gum, Stringy Bark Tree, Tasmanian Blue Gum

Code ⬆

NDC Code

0268- ALK-Abello, Inc.
- 0268-1185- EUCALYPTUS GLOBULUS POLLEN
  - 0268-1185-50- 50 mL in 1 VIAL, MULTI-DOSE (0268-1185-50)

0268- ALK-Abello, Inc.
- 0268-1186- EUCALYPTUS GLOBULUS POLLEN
  - 0268-1186-10- 10 mL in 1 VIAL, MULTI-DOSE (0268-1186-10)

0268- ALK-Abello, Inc.
- 0268-1186- EUCALYPTUS GLOBULUS POLLEN
  - 0268-1186-50- 50 mL in 1 VIAL, MULTI-DOSE (0268-1186-50)

0268- ALK-Abello, Inc.
- 0268-6712- EUCALYPTUS GLOBULUS POLLEN
  - 0268-6712-06- 5 mL in 1 VIAL, MULTI-DOSE (0268-6712-06)

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Classifications ⬇

Indications ⬆ ⬇