Is shark cartilage safe?
""Large variations exist in the purity of commercially available preparations"
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Contraindications
Pregnancy, lactation.
Precautions/warnings
Liver diseases.
Adverse effects
Orally, shark cartilage can cause taste disturbances, nausea, vomiting, dyspepsia, constipation, hypotension, dizziness, hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, hypercalcemia, altered consciousness, decreased motor strength, decreased sensation, erythema, peripheral edema, generalized weakness, fatigue, and decreased performance. (ref 1,23,26,29) It might also cause signs of acute hepatitis, including low-grade fever, jaundice, yellowing of eyes, right upper quadrant tenderness, and elevated liver enzymes. (ref 32)
Interactions
Interactions with the following drugs are conceivable: diuretics, insulin, interferon, thalidomide.
Quality issues
Large variations exist in the purity of commercially available preparations.
References
1. Lane IW. Comac L. Sharks don’t get cancer. How shark cartilage can save your life. New Your: Avery, 1992.
23. Batist G, Champagne P, Hariton C, et al. Dose-survival relationship in a phase II study of Neovastat in refractory renal cell carcinoma patients. [Abstract] Proceedings of the American Society of Clinical Oncology 2002;21:A-1907.
26. Leitner SP, Rothkopf MM, Haverstick L, et al. Two phase II studies of oral dry shark cartilage powder (SCP) with either metastatic breast or prostate cancer refractory to standard treatment. [Abstract] Proceedings of the American Society of Clinical Oncology 1998;17:A-240.
29. Miller DR. Phase I/II trial of the safety and efficacy of shark cartilage in the treatment of advanced cancer. J Clin Oncol 1998;16:3649-3655.
32. Ashar B, Vargo E. Shark cartilage-induced hepatitis. Ann Intern Med 1996;125:780-781.
