Abbott will be marketing the medication for the manufacturer, Dijon, France-based Groupe Fournier. It is contraindicated in patients with gall bladder, liver or kidney disease. The recommended dose is 10 mg. Reported bone mineral gains were significant in the hips, spine and total body on 5 mg and were almost as significant as those patients on estrogen therapy. Angioneurotic edema will be added.
Advocates claim efficacy when the herb is ingested early in the disease state.
In order to evaluate these claims, Melchart, et.al. Eighteen of the trials were randomized and eleven were double-blinded. There were a total of 34 groups in the trials and the authors of the trials claimed positive results in 30 of the trials. This was particularly true as to dose and administration relationships. However, there was evidence that echinacea had a positive effect on the immune system.