Uva Ursi Side Effects

Arctostaphylos uva ursi, a plant also known as bearberry, was a favored treatment for urinary tract infections and bladder inflammation before the discovery of sulfa drugs and antibiotics. People who prefer herbal treatments still use the leaves as a dried herb or tea to treat these infections.

Most Common Effects

• Uva ursi side effects are uncommon and usually mild. They can include increased heart rate, insomnia, irritability and nausea.

Large Dose Effects

• Taking uva ursi in large doses is associated with ringing of the ears, stomach upset, more severe nausea and vomiting, and greenish urine.

Liver Issues

• An infection-fighting component in uva ursi, hydroquinone, can cause liver damage, although this is very unlikely. Symptoms include jaundice, abdominal pain, fatigue, weakness and dark urine.

Warning

• HerbWisdom.com cautions that taking doses of uva ursi at 10 times higher than recommended can result in shortness of breath, skin turning blue due to lack of oxygen, seizures and collapse. Doses of 30 grams or more may be fatal.

Drug Interactions

• According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, Japanese research with animals suggests uva ursi can increase the anti-inflammatory effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids.