feverfew herb at a glance
Type
Traditional herbal medicinal product
Role
Migraine prevention based on traditional use only
Age
The selected product is not recommended under 18 years
Administration
Swallow the film-coated tablet whole with water or another liquid; do not chew it
What is feverfew herb used for?
The selected UK product has one registered traditional use:
Preventing migraine headaches in adults whose migraine was previously diagnosed by a doctor. It does not relieve an attack that has already started.
How does feverfew herb work?
How feverfew might prevent migraine is not established. Limited laboratory evidence suggests it may inhibit platelet function, but the relevance in people is unknown.
How to take feverfew herb
Follow the product leaflet. Swallow the selected tablets whole with water or another liquid.
Do not chew the tablets.
Do not take more than the pack label states.
Seek professional advice if attacks become more frequent, more painful or develop new features.
Long-term users should seek professional advice before stopping suddenly.
feverfew herb side effects
Common or expected effects
- Digestive symptoms such as indigestion, heartburn, nausea, wind, abdominal bloating, constipation or diarrhoea
Get urgent medical advice
- Stop taking it and obtain medical advice for mouth inflammation, ulcers or an allergic rash.
- Get urgent help for breathing difficulty or marked swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat.
- Seek prompt assessment for significant or unexplained bleeding. Feverfew may theoretically increase bleeding risk, especially with medicines affecting clotting.
feverfew herb in pregnancy
Do not use the selected product during pregnancy. Safety has not been established, and traditional experience raises concern that feverfew may stimulate menstrual flow and induce abortion. Speak to a doctor, pharmacist or midwife if exposure occurs.
feverfew herb while breastfeeding
Do not use the selected product while breastfeeding because safety and transfer into breast milk have not been established. Discuss migraine prevention with a doctor or pharmacist.
feverfew herb interactions
Check with a pharmacist or prescriber before combining feverfew with medicines affecting bleeding or clotting.
Anticoagulants, including warfarin, apixaban, rivaroxaban and heparins
Feverfew may theoretically add to their effects and increase bleeding risk.
Antiplatelet medicines, including clopidogrel
The combination may theoretically increase bleeding risk.
NSAIDs, including aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen
The combination may theoretically increase bleeding risk.
Common questions about feverfew herb
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Does feverfew herb treat a migraine that has already started?
No. The selected product is traditionally registered for prevention, not acute relief.
Is feverfew herb proven to prevent migraine?
Its traditional registration is based on longstanding use rather than demonstrated clinical effectiveness.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.