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Side Effects of Azo-Cranberry
Azo-Cranberry is a marketed brand of cranberry in the United States in tablet form 124. Studies indicate cranberry, a fruit of a North American evergreen shrub, helps to stop the growth of harmful bacteria within the walls of your bladder 14. Studies also indicate that cranberry helps to deter urinary tract infections because of this preventive factor, Drugs.com reports 24. If you suffer from urinary incontinence, you may use cranberries to reduce the strong smell of urine. Side effects may occur as a result of taking a cranberry supplement such as Azo-Cranberry 24.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Kidney Problems
If you have a history of kidney stones, you should avoid taking Azo-Cranberry as a supplement 24. Cranberries cause an increase of acid levels to occur, making the risk of having a kidney stone much higher, The Merck Manuals indicate 1. Before starting any supplement, including Azo-Cranberry, talk to your doctor to decide if it will help or cause more problems for you 24.
Nausea
Risks of Cranberry Pills
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Stomach upset often happens as a non-serious side effect of a cranberry supplement, Drugs.com indicates 24. Try taking your cranberry supplement with food to alter this effect 4. Food in your stomach may counteract supplements' irritating effects or protect the stomach lining from cranberry’s caustic and acidic effect 14. You may want to call your doctor if you experience this side effect regularly.
Loose Stools
You may experience diarrhea from the irritating influences Azo-Cranberry has on your intestinal lining 124. Your digestive system has sensitivities to certain substances that may act as corrosives to its delicate mucosa lining. You should only experience this common side effect of Azo-Cranberry for a couple of days 24. You should then feel better. If you continue to experience diarrhea, query your doctor for advice, Drugs.com recommends 4.
Medication Interactions
Do Cranberry Supplements Help Shed Water?
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Medication interactions such as those with antacids may occur when taking Azo-Cranberry, Vitamins-Supplements.org indicates 24. Cranberries are strongly acidic and will interfere with the therapeutic effects of medications that do not hold an acid base. Antacids can be used to calm heartburn and indigestion because of their action of decreasing of acid in your stomach. By adding more acid through a cranberry supplement, this therapeutic effect may become altered 4.
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References
- The Merck Manuals: Cranberry
- Drugs.com: Azo-Cranberry
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Cranberry
- Drugs.com: Cranberry
- Jepson RG, Williams G, Craig JC. Cranberries for preventing urinary tract infections. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012;10:CD001321. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD001321.pub5
- Maki KC, Kaspar KL, Khoo C, et al. Consumption of a cranberry juice beverage lowered the number of clinical urinary tract infection episodes in women with a recent history of urinary tract infection. Am J Clin Nutr. 2016 Jun;103(6):1434-42.
- Vidlar A, Student V Jr, Vostalova J, et al. Cranberry fruit powder (Flowens™) improves lower urinary tract symptoms in men: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. World J Urol. 2016 Mar;34(3):419-24.
- Ledda A, Belcaro G, Dugall M, et al. Supplementation with high titer cranberry extract (Anthocran®) for the prevention of recurrent urinary tract infections in elderly men suffering from moderate prostatic hyperplasia: a pilot study. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2016;20(24):5205-5209.
- Khairnar MR, Karibasappa GN, Dodamani AS, Vishwakarma P, Naik RG, Deshmukh MA. Comparative assessment of Cranberry and Chlorhexidine mouthwash on streptococcal colonization among dental students: A randomized parallel clinical trial. Contemp Clin Dent. 2015 Jan-Mar;6(1):35-9.
Writer Bio
Carole Anne Tomlinson is a registered nurse with experience in rehabilitation, nutrition, chemical dependency, diabetes and health problems related to the elderly. Tomlinson holds a Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice and is presently working on her master's degree in nursing. Her screenplays have been viewed by Merchant Ivory, Angela Lansbury and Steven King's associates.