Huperzine A

Other Names: HupA, Huperzina A, Huperzine, Huperzine-A, Selagine, Sélagine
Huperzine A is a substance extracted from a plant called Chinese club moss (Huperzia serrata).

Special Precautions of Huperzine A

• Huperzine A seems to be safe when used for a short time, such as less than one month. It can cause some side effects including nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, sweating, blurred vision, slurred speech, restlessness, loss of appetite (anorexia), contraction and twitching of muscle fibers (fasciculations), cramping, increased saliva and urine, inability to control urination (incontinence), high blood pressure, and slowed heart rate (bradycardia).
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of huperzine A during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
• Heart disease: Huperzine A can slow the heart rate. This might be a problem for people who already have a slow heart rate (bradycardia) or other heart conditions related to heart rate. If you have heart disease, use huperzine A cautiously.
• Epilepsy: Since huperzine A seems to affect brain chemicals, there is concern that it might make epilepsy worse. If you have a seizure disorder such as epilepsy, use huperzine A cautiously.
• Gastrointestinal (GI) tract blockage: There is a concern that using huperzine A might make GI blockage worse. That is because huperzine A can increase mucous and fluid secretions in the intestine, causing “congestion.” This “pro-secretory effect” is due to the way huperzine A affects a body chemical called acetylcholine. If you have a GI tract blockage, check with your healthcare provider before you use huperzine A.
• Sores in the stomach or the first part of the small intestine (peptic ulcers): There is a concern that using huperzine A might make peptic ulcers worse. That is because huperzine A can increase mucous and fluid secretions in the stomach and intestine, causing “congestion.” This “pro-secretory effect” is due to the way huperzine A affects a body chemical called acetylcholine. If you have peptic ulcers, check with your healthcare provider before you use huperzine A.
• Lung conditions such as asthma or emphysema: There is a concern that using huperzine A might make asthma or emphysema worse. That is because huperzine A can increase mucous and fluid secretions in the lung, causing “congestion.” This “pro-secretory effect” is due to the way huperzine A affects a body chemical called acetylcholine. If you have asthma or emphysema, check with your healthcare provider before you use huperzine A.
• Urinary tract or reproductive system blockage: There is a concern that using huperzine A might make blockage of the urinary or reproductive system worse. That is because huperzine A can increase mucous and fluid secretions in these organs, causing “congestion.” This “pro-secretory effect” is due to the way huperzine A affects a body chemical called acetylcholine. If you have a urinary tract or reproductive system blockage, check with your healthcare provider before you use huperzine A.
• Drying medications (Anticholinergic drugs) interacts with HUPERZINE A
• Medications for Alzheimer's disease (Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors) interacts with HUPERZINE A
• Various medications used for glaucoma, Alzheimer's disease, and other conditions (Cholinergic drugs) interacts with HUPERZINE A

The benefits of Huperzine A are

In traditional Chinese medicine, Chinese club moss has long been used to reduce inflammation and to sharpen memory. Sold as a dietary supplement, huperzine A is typically touted as a treatment for Alzheimer's disease.Huperzine A has been found to act as a cholinesterase inhibitor, a type of medicine used to prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine (a chemical essential to learning and memory).Not only used as a treatment for Alzheimer's disease, huperzine A is also said to enhance learning and memory and to protect against age-related cognitive decline. In addition, huperzine A is sometimes used to boost energy, increase alertness, and aid in the treatment of myasthenia gravis (an autoimmune disorder that affects the muscles).

• Improving memory, mental function, and behavior in people with certain conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, multi-infarct dementia, or senile dementia. One study showed improved memory and thinking skills in patients with Alzheimer’s disease after 8 weeks of treatment. Another study showed patients with multi-infarct and senile dementia benefited after 2-4 weeks of treatment. But long-term, large-scale research studies are needed to confirm these findings and determine what role huperzine A might have in treating dementia.
• Improving memory in healthy adolescents. In one well-designed research project, huperzine A significantly improved the memory of Chinese middle school children who complained of memory problems.
• Use by injection to prevent muscle weakness due to the muscular disorder called myasthenia gravis. The beneficial effects of huperzine A seem to last longer than the conventional medication neostigmine - 7 hours instead of 4. But well-controlled, large-scale trials are needed to confirm huperzine A's potential benefit in myasthenia gravis.