Aloe Risks

The aloe vera plant has been applied to the skin as a remedy for thousands of years. The clear gel from the plant's thick, spiky leaves soothes sunburn, helps heal cuts and clear up rashes and skin infections. A derivative of the inner lining of the leaf has also been used as a laxative. But aloe can interact with medications and can be poisonous if swallowed. Minimize the risks from this natural pharmaceutical by knowing what they are.

Anti-diabetic Medications

• Because substances that are absorbed by the skin enter the bloodstream just like any medicine, topical aloe can interact with medications. Glyburide, a drug to control blood sugar and triglycerides, is used to treat diabetes 2. If you use topical aloe or if you ingest aloe juice as a nutritional or diet supplement and you take glyburide, you should discuss the possible risks with your doctor to avoid any fluctuation in blood sugar levels.

Laxative Risks

• Studies show that using aloe latex, a substance from the inner leaf, as a laxative leaches potassium from the wall of the intestine. The user needs to take larger and larger doses to achieve the same effect and that can lead to another risk. Medline Plus reports that high doses of aloe over a prolonged period of time may cause kidney problems, heart disturbances, muscle weakness, diarrhea, liver problems and possibly cancer. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has banned the use of aloe latex in laxatives.

Diuretics and Digoxin

• Because aloe can lower potassium levels in the body, anyone taking diuretics, which lower potassium, should not ingest aloe products. That's even more important advice if you take digoxin, a heart medicine prescribed for arrhythmia and congestive heart failure. The combination of digoxin and aloe can reduce potassium to dangerously low levels.

Aloe Poisoning

• Many of the products containing aloe are not mean to be ingested, and if swallowed, can cause serious diarrhea, rashes, vision loss, severe stomach pain, skin irritation, vomiting and throat swelling that can lead to difficulty breathing. Inhaling a substance containing aloe may also cause breathing difficulties. In the event an aloe product is accidentally ingested and causes a reaction, contact poison control and be prepared for a possible emergency room visit, depending on severity of symptoms.