Colocynth
Colocynthidis fructus
Koloquinthen
Published September 1, 1990
Name of Drug
Colocynthidis fructus, colocynth.
Composition of Drug
Colocynth consists of the ripe fruit of Citrullus colocynthis L. Schrader [Fam. Cucurbitaceae], freed from the outer shell of the pericarp, as well as preparations thereof.
The drug contains cucurbitacin.
Uses
Preparations of colocynth are used exclusively in fixed combinations for acute and chronic constipation of various origins, also during pregnancy and in case of liver and gallbladder ailments.
Colocynth preparations have a drastic laxative effect.
The effectiveness for the other claimed applications is not documented.
Risks
Colocynth contains up to 3 percent cucurbitacin. For the drug and its preparations, drastic irritations of the gastrointestinal mucosa to the extent of hemorrhagic diarrhea are documented. Partial absorption can lead to kidney damage and hemorrhagic cystitis. An abortive action is not known.
Evaluation
The use of colocynth as a drastic laxative can no longer be justified because of the high risks involved.
For the other claimed uses, the application cannot be justified because of risks and undocumented effectiveness.
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