Peppermint Oil (menthol)
Place in Therapy
Place in Therapy
There is not a lot of evidence available for peppermint’s use in sore throat <1>. However, due to its excellent safety profile, peppermint in small doses (2-10 mg) is recommended for sore throat in patients over 8 years of age <1>. It remains inconclusive as to the mechanism by which menthol may act as an antitussive; however, it has been implicated that anion transporters in airway epithelial cells may be involved <1>.
Peppermint oil is contraindicated in patients with gastroesophageal reflex or active gastric ulcer as peppermint oil decreases esophageal sphincter pressure <1>. It is also contraindicated in pregnant and breastfeeding women as it causes emmenagogue effects <1>. Peppermint oil has been shown to decrease the effect of simvastatin and felodipine via inhibition of CYP450 enzyme system1. In addition, it has been reported to reduce warfarin dose response <2>.
References
1. Natural Standard Web Site. http://www.naturalstandard.com.proxy.lib.uwaterloo.ca/databases/. Accessed February March 3, 2013.
2. Tietze KJ. Cough. In: Krinsky DL, Berardi RR, Ferreri SP, Hume AL, Newton GD, Rollins CJ, Tietze KJ, eds. Handbook of nonprescription drugs: An interactive approach to self-care. 17th ed. Washington, DC: American Pharmacists Association; 2012:209.
There is not a lot of evidence available for peppermint’s use in sore throat <1>. However, due to its excellent safety profile, peppermint in small doses (2-10 mg) is recommended for sore throat in patients over 8 years of age <1>. It remains inconclusive as to the mechanism by which menthol may act as an antitussive; however, it has been implicated that anion transporters in airway epithelial cells may be involved <1>.
Peppermint oil is contraindicated in patients with gastroesophageal reflex or active gastric ulcer as peppermint oil decreases esophageal sphincter pressure <1>. It is also contraindicated in pregnant and breastfeeding women as it causes emmenagogue effects <1>. Peppermint oil has been shown to decrease the effect of simvastatin and felodipine via inhibition of CYP450 enzyme system1. In addition, it has been reported to reduce warfarin dose response <2>.
References
1. Natural Standard Web Site. http://www.naturalstandard.com.proxy.lib.uwaterloo.ca/databases/. Accessed February March 3, 2013.
2. Tietze KJ. Cough. In: Krinsky DL, Berardi RR, Ferreri SP, Hume AL, Newton GD, Rollins CJ, Tietze KJ, eds. Handbook of nonprescription drugs: An interactive approach to self-care. 17th ed. Washington, DC: American Pharmacists Association; 2012:209.