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Diosmin

Diosmin is a type of plant chemical found mainly in citrus fruits. Diosmin is used in the manufacture of medicine. Diosmin is used to treat various vascular problems including hemorrhoids, varicose veins, poor circulation in the legs and bleeding around the eyes and gums. It can also be used to treat lymphoedema in the arms after breast cancer surgery and to protect the liver. Diosmin is often used in combination with another plant chemical called hesperidin.

How does diosmin work?

Diosmin may be helpful in the treatment of hemorrhoids by reducing inflammatory swelling and restoring normal vein function.

How effective is Diosmin?

Diosmin may be effective when used in combination with hesperidin to treat hemorrhoids and prevent recurrence of hemorrhoids, as well as to treat leg ulcers due to poor circulation.

Diosmin may not be effective when used in combination with hesperidin to treat lymphoedema in the arms following breast cancer surgery. There is not enough scientific data to make a statement about the effectiveness of diosmin for varicose veins, bleeding in the eye and bleeding gums, and for the prevention of liver damage. Further scientific research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of Diosmin in these applications.

Safety and side effects

Diosmin is safe for most people for short-term use of up to three months. It can cause some side effects including stomach and abdominal pain, diarrhea and headaches.

Diosmin should not be used for longer than three months without medical supervision.

Precautions and warnings

Pregnancy and lactation: Not enough is known about the use of Diosmin during pregnancy and lactation. For this reason, pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid Diosmin.

Interactions

There is currently no information on interactions between Diosmin and medications or supplements.

Dosage

Diosmin is often used in combination with hesperidin.

The following dosages have been investigated in scientific studies:

Oral:

  • For the treatment of internal hemorrhoids: 1350 mg diosmin plus 150 mg hesperidin twice daily for 4 days, followed by 900 mg diosmin and 100 mg hesperidin twice daily for 3 days. Some researchers have also tried 600 mg of diosmin three times a day for 4 days, followed by 300 mg twice a day for 10 days in combination with 11 grams of psyllium daily. However, this lower diosmin dosage does not appear to be as effective.
  • To prevent the recurrence of internal hemorrhoids: 450 mg diosmin plus 50 mg hesperidin twice daily for 3 months.
  • To treat leg wounds due to circulatory problems: A combination of 900 mg diosmin and 100 mg hesperidin daily has been used for up to 2 months.

References

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  2. Craig WJ. Health-promoting properties of common herbs. Am J Clin Nutr 1999;70:491-9.
  3. Di Carlo G, Mascolo N, Izzo AA, Capasso F. Flavonoids: Old and new aspects of a class of natural therapeutic drugs. Life Sci 1999;65:337-53.
  4. Guilhou JJ, Dereure O, Marzin L, et al. Efficacy of Daflon 500 mg in venous leg ulcer healing: a double-blind, randomized, controlled versus placebo trial in 107 patients. Angiology 1997;48:77-85.
  5. Middleton E. Some biological properties of plant flavonoids. Ann Allergy 1988;61:53-7.
  6. Misra MC, Parshad R. Randomized clinical trial of micronized flavonoids in the early control of bleeding from acute internal haemorrhoids. Br J Surgery 2000;87:868-72.
  7. Pecking AP, Fevrier B, Wargon C, Pillion G. Efficacy of Daflon 500 mg in the treatment of lymphedema (secondary to conventional therapy of breast cancer). Angiology 1997;48:93-8.
  8. Thanapongsathorn W, Vajrabukka T. Clinical trial of oral diosmin (Daflon) in the treatment of hemorrhoids. Dis Colon Rectum 1992;35:1085-8.
  9. Villa P, Cova D, De Francesco L, et al. Protective effect of diosmetin on in vitro cell membrane damage and oxidative stress in cultured rat hepatocytes. Toxicology 1992;73:179-89.