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Devil's claw root: ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding?

Devil's claw root is used in the symptomatic treatment of minor joint pains, even though its efficacy over and above a placebo has not been established. It appears to expose patients to sometimes severe gastrointestinal adverse effects. It is best avoided.

Harpagophytum procumbens, or devil’s claw, is an African plant whose root is used to relieve minor joint pains.

It has no proven efficacy in reducing pain beyond a placebo effect.

There is converging evidence of its sometimes severe adverse gastrointestinal effects: stomach pains, potentially haemorrhagic gastritis and duodenal ulcers.

The other known adverse effects of devil's claw root are allergic reactions and dizziness. According to the European Medicines Agency, there is a possibility that it causes cardiac arrhythmia.

Joint pains can be relieved through topical hot and cold treatments, the use of a walking stick in cases of osteoarthritis of the lower limbs, and weight reduction in cases of obesity.

When medicinal treatment is required, paracetamol is the reference analgesic. A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) is another option which can cause multiple adverse effects, especially gastrointestinal, but it has been proven to relieve the symptoms.

Devil's claw root appears to expose patients to sometimes severe gastrointestinal adverse effects. Given the scant evidence of its efficacy, it is best avoided.

©Prescrire 1 December 2013

"Devil's claw root: ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding?" Prescrire Int 2013; 22 (144): 296. (Pdf, subscribers only).
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