Wu Tou Aconite Root … Safety & Interactions
Wu Tou · Radix Aconiti
Contraindicated / High risk. Use only under practitioner supervision.
Contraindications
- Pregnancy
- Heat syndromes, yin deficiency with heat, or true fluid depletion without cold
- Internal use of raw or inadequately processed aconite without expert supervision
- Known ventricular arrhythmia or unstable severe cardiac disease
Cautions
- Wu Tou is a classical high-toxicity aconite-root lane, not a separate gentler cousin of Chuan Wu.
- Improper dosing or under-processing can cause oral numbness, gastrointestinal distress, neurologic symptoms, hypotension, and fatal ventricular arrhythmias.
- Historical formula importance should never be mistaken for modern self-treatment safety.
Drug Interactions
| Drug Class / Substrate | Mechanism | Severity | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cardiac glycosides such as digoxin ... additive arrhythmogenic risk | |||
| Class I and III antiarrhythmic drugs ... unpredictable electrophysiologic interaction | |||
| Beta-blockers or other rate-slowing agents ... may worsen bradycardia or mask early toxicity | |||
| QT-prolonging medications ... additive risk of malignant ventricular arrhythmia | |||
Pregnancy
Not recommended during pregnancy. Consult a qualified practitioner before any use.
This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using herbal medicines, especially if you take prescription medications.