Cranberry Extract
About
Cranberry Extract is a nutritional supplement that helps in treating bladder infection and in reducing the pungent smell of infected urine. Urinary tract infection is the most common infection in humans caused by microbes and can occur in any part of the urinary tract such as the bladder, urethra, kidneys or ureters.
Cranberry Extract contains Cranberry extract that works by preventing certain kinds of bacteria from sticking to the urinary tract walls and causing urinary tract infection (UTI). Cranberry Extract reduces infection and relieves the urine of any discolouration or bad odour.
Take Cranberry Extract as advised by the physician. In some cases, Cranberry Extract may cause certain common side effects such as stomach upset and diarrhoea, if taken in very large quantities. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if these side effects persist.
Inform the physician if you are allergic to any of its components. Consult your physician before taking alcohol with Cranberry Extract as there may be an interaction. Keep your doctor informed if you suffer from diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease or hypertension. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to get pregnant, or breastfeeding.
Uses of Cranberry Extract
Medicinal Benefits
Cranberry Extract contains Cranberry extract. It is used primarily to treat bladder infections resulting in UTI's. Cranberry Extract also helps in normalising the colour and smell of infected urine. Cranberry Extract works by reducing the levels of infection by preventing the bacteria from attaching to the bladder cell membrane. Cranberry Extract hence finds use in addressing urinary tract infection directly and helps alleviate its symptoms such as hesitancy, poor stream of urine and smelly urine.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Cranberry Extract
- Stomach upset
- Diarrhoea
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Inform the physician if you are allergic to any of its components. Keep your doctor informed if you suffer from diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, kidney stones, or hypertension. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to get pregnant, or breastfeeding. Exercise caution before taking alcohol with Cranberry Extract. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Cranberry Extract may interact with a mood stabiliser (lithium) and antibiotic (methenamine).
Drug-Food Interactions: Cranberry Extract should be used with caution in case of intolerance to certain sugars.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Cranberry Extract should be used with caution in patients with a known hypersensitivity disorder, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, kidney disease and lactose intolerance.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionExercise caution before taking alcohol with Cranberry Extract. Please consult your physician if you have any concerns.
Pregnancy
consult your doctorCranberry Extract is safe to use during pregnancy. Please consult your physician if you have any concerns.
Breast Feeding
consult your doctorCranberry Extract is safe to use during breastfeeding. Please consult your physician if you have any concerns.
Driving
not applicableCranberry Extract is unlikely to affect your ability to drive.
Liver
consult your doctorCranberry Extract is safe on the liver. However, please consult your physician in case of any concerns.
Kidney
cautionCranberry Extract should be used with caution in case of renal disease. Please consult your physician in case of any concerns.
Children
cautionCranberry Extract is safe in recommended paediatric doses. Consult your physician in case of any concerns.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Make sure you drink enough water and keep yourself hydrated. A lack of hydration often predisposes to UTI.
- Practise personal hygiene. Wash and clean your private parts.
- Avoid wearing tight, synthetic underwear.
- Avoid using vaginal douches and sprays.
- Do not wipe from front to back or vice versa after passing motion as this may displace bacteria from the vagina to the anus and vice versa.
- Practise safe sex with a known partner as far as possible.
- Always pee after sexual intercourse.
- Holding back urine causes bacteria to grow. Always go the loo whenever you feel the urge.
Special Advise
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Urinary tract infection (UTI): It is the most common infection in humans caused by microbes and can occur in any part of the urinary tract such as bladder, urethra, kidneys or ureters. Most urinary tract infections involve the bladder and urethra in the lower tract. It mostly occurs in women than in men. The symptoms of lower tract (bladder, urethra) infection include increased urge to urinate, bloody urine, pain with urination or pelvic pain in women. The symptoms of upper tract (kidneys, ureters) infection include vomiting, nausea, fever or back pain.
FAQs
Cranberry Extract works by reducing the level of infection in the urinary tract and making urine clearer and easier to pass.
In case you miss a dose of Cranberry Extract, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is too close to the next dose, revert to the original schedule.
Consult your physician before using Cranberry Extract in case you have a history of kidney stones.
Cranberry Extract may cause diarrhoea as a temporary side effect. It is not necessary for everyone taking Cranberry Extract to experience this side effect. However, if the condition persists or worsens, please consult a doctor.
UTI is commonly caused by an abnormal rise in the normal concentrations of tract flora, namely a bacteria called E. coli. It is common in females due to a shorter length of the urethra.
Females have a narrower urethra than males and women tend not to empty their bladders completely as men do. Hence urinary tract infections are more common in females.
