Bladderwrack, cautions
Consumption of bladder wrack harvested from polluted waters may cause nephrotoxicity due to the presence of heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium and mercury.
Fucus vesiculosus: a nephrotoxic alga?
Contraindications: Contraindicated in pregnancy and lactation
Cautions: May cause transient hyperthyroidism and raised levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) – Bone
Monitor iodine levels and thyroid hormones
May interact with thyroid replacement therapies eg thyroxine
Bladder wrack acts as an estrogenic receptor modulator and should be used with caution in patients with hormonal-sensitive cancers
Herb/Drug Interactions
(Return to Hormone Course)
Bladderwrack, due to its iodine content, may interact with thyroid medications like carbimazole, potentially decreasing their effectiveness or causing additive effects. It could interfere with blood thinners such as heparin or warfarin, increasing bleeding risk. There is also potential for interactions with CYP450 substrates, affecting the metabolism of drugs processed by these enzymes.
Bladderwrack might interact with amiodarone, reducing its bioavailability. It may also affect lab tests or combine adversely with antacids like those in Gaviscon.
- Cholesterol-lowering and antihypertensive medications: Theoretically, bladder wrack may have an additive effects .
- Cytochrome P450 substrates: Bladder wrack inhibits cytochrome P450 enzymes, thereby affecting the cellular concentration of drugs that are metabolized by these enzymes .
- Amiodarone: Bladder wrack decreased the bioavailability of amiodarone (used to treat arrhythmia) in a study of rats