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Venastat

Drug class: herbal products

Generic Name: Horse Chestnut

What is Venastat?

Venastat can also be called Aescin (Aesculus hippocastanum), Buckeye, Castano de Indias (Indian Chestnut), Châtaignier de Mer (Châtaignier des Chevaux), Escine, Faux Chataignier ("Faux Châtaignier"), Hippocastani "Hippocastanum Vulgare Gaertn", Marron Europeen or Marronnier,"Spanish Chestnut," Venostasin Ret

Venastat is used as an alternative medicine to treat some of the symptoms associated with chronic venous failure (lower blood flow from the legs and feet back to the heart). The symptoms of venous insufficiency include leg tenderness or pain, varicose or spider veins, and swelling or itching.

Research has not proved that other uses can be made of this herb. These include fever, coughing, diarrhea, hemorrhoids, and an enlarged prostate, as well as menstrual cramps.

Venastat may not be effective for treating all medical conditions. The FDA has not approved the use of Venastat for medical purposes. The FDA has not approved the use of this product as a substitute for medication prescribed by your physician.

Venastat can be sold as an herbal supplement. Many herbal compounds are not manufactured to regulated standards, and some supplements on the market have been found to be contaminated by toxic metals or drugs. To minimize contamination, herbal or health supplements must be bought from a reputable source.Venastat can be used in other ways than those listed here.

Similar/related drugs

Turmeric, Ginkgo Biloba

Side effects of Venastat

If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergic response, seek immediate medical attention: difficulty breathing, hives, swelling in your lips, face, throat, or tongue.

Venastat may be safe for short-term use, even though not all of its side effects have been identified.

Venastat should be stopped immediately, and you need to contact your doctor if:

  • Skin rashes are characterized by severe redness of the skin, swelling, and itching.

Venastat can cause the following side effects:

  • Upset stomach;
  • Headache, dizziness,
  • Itching

There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. Report side effects by calling the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Warnings

Please read all instructions on product labels and packaging. Inform your doctors about your allergies and medical conditions. Inform them which medications you are currently taking.

Before you take this drug

Talk to your doctor before using Venastat. Venastat may not work for you if:

  • Venastat thins your blood.
  • Low blood sugar may be caused by Venastat.
  • Kidney disease
  • Liver Disease
  • A stomach or intestinal problem;
  • Congestive heart disease
  • Epilepsy;
  • Asthma;
  • Migraine headaches
  • If you have an allergy to latex,

Venastat is known to cause harm to an unborn child. Avoid using this product while pregnant.

Horse chestnuts can pass through breast milk and harm nursing babies. Avoid using this product while breastfeeding a child.Don't give herbal supplements or health products to children without consulting a doctor.

How to take Venastat?

Consult your physician before using herbal supplements. Consult a health practitioner trained to use herbal supplements.Venastat should only be used as prescribed by your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider. Use only the recommended amount of Venastat.

Horse chestnut is usually taken in the form of capsules, 1 capsule per 12 hours prior to a meal.Use the capsule along with one full glass of filtered water.Venastat capsules should not be crushed, cheated, broken, or opened. It is best to swallow it whole.Venastat products that contain the exact labeled amount of chemical are best. Verify that your product doesn't contain "esculin," a dangerous substance.

Your symptoms may not improve for up to four weeks. If your symptoms don't improve or worsen while taking Venastat, call your doctor.Keep away from heat, moisture, and light.

What happens if I miss the dose?

If your next dose is on its way, simply skip any missed one and move forward with taking only what is necessary. Venastat cannot be used to compensate for a missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 or seek emergency medical care. Venastat raw (seeds or flowers) may cause poisoning.

Horse chestnut Poisoning can cause weakness, depressed emotions, loss of coordination, dilated pupils, vomiting, and diarrhea. There may be little or no urine, muscle twisting, or loss of mobility anywhere on the body.

Avoid this

Do not eat Venastat seeds, leaves, flowers, bark, or other raw Venastat products. They can cause serious side effects.Venastat should not be taken with any herbal supplements or health products that lower blood sugar levels, including alpha-lipoic, chromium (including chromium oxide), devil's claw, fenugreek, and garlic.

Venastat should not be taken with any herbal or health products that may also cause blood clotting. Angelica (dong-quai), cloves, capsicum, garlic, ginger, and ginkgo are all examples.

Interaction with other drug

Venastat should not be taken without consulting your doctor if you take any of these medications.

  • Insulin, an oral diabetes medication
  • Medicines to prevent blood clots: clopidogrel, warfarin, coumadin (Jantoven), dalteparin, and other anti-clotting drugs;
  • Nsaids (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) include aspirin (Advil), ibuprofen, naproxen, celecoxib (Aleve), diclofenac (Indomethacin), meloxicam (meloxicam), and many others.

The list below is not exhaustive. Horse chestnuts may also interact with other drugs, such as prescription or over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. This product guide does not list all interactions.