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Limited evidenceJoints & skin

Devil's Claw

Devil's claw shows a real but small and low-confidence signal for short-term low back pain at 50-100 mg harpagoside per day. Osteoarthritis evidence comes mainly from active-comparator trials without placebo arms, so it remains unproven.

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What the science says

  • Short-term low back pain Limited evidence

    The 2014 Cochrane review of herbal medicine for low back pain concluded that daily doses standardised to 50 or 100 mg harpagoside may beat placebo for short-term pain and may reduce rescue analgesic use — but this came from just two trials totalling 315 participants, rated low-quality evidence.

  • Hip and knee osteoarthritis Limited evidence

    A 4-month multicentre trial in 122 patients found powdered Harpagophytum (2610 mg/day) comparable to diacerein 100 mg/day for pain and function, with fewer adverse events. There was no placebo arm, and diacerein itself has weak efficacy, so this shows non-inferiority to a modest comparator rather than proven benefit.

  • NSAID sparing Limited evidence

    One low-quality trial (n = 88) reported rough equivalence to rofecoxib 12.5 mg/day for back pain. That drug has since been withdrawn from the market, and no well-powered trial has tested devil's claw against a current NSAID.

Dosage & safety

Studied doseExtracts standardised to 50-100 mg harpagoside per day, which is roughly 600-2400 mg of extract or 2-2.6 g of powdered root daily, usually split into 2-3 doses. Trials ran 4-16 weeks; benefit, if any, builds over 2-4 weeks.
SafetyDiarrhoea and other gastrointestinal upset are the most frequent side effects (about 8% in trials). Devil's claw stimulates gastric acid secretion, so it is contraindicated in active peptic ulcer disease, gastritis and reflux; caution with gallstones because of its choleretic effect. Case reports describe raised INR in patients on warfarin, and animal data suggest effects on heart rate and blood pressure — use caution with antiarrhythmics, antihypertensives and anticoagulants. Avoid in pregnancy (oxytocic activity reported). Not banned in sport.

How to take it

TimingSplit into 2-3 doses across the day; benefit, if any, builds over 2-4 weeks.
With food?With food — it stimulates gastric acid and is easier on an occupied stomach.
Worth knowingBuy on harpagoside content: 'devil's claw 500 mg' with no standardisation tells you nothing about the dose you are actually getting.

Interactions

With medications

  • warfarin

    Case reports describe raised INR in patients who added devil's claw. monitor INR closely or avoid the combination

  • antihypertensives and antiarrhythmics

    Animal data show effects on heart rate and blood pressure that could add to these drugs. talk to your doctor before combining

  • NSAIDs

    Devil's claw stimulates gastric acid secretion, adding to NSAID stomach irritation and ulcer risk. do not combine long term without gastric protection

Well-established interactions only — this is not a complete list. Always tell your doctor and pharmacist what you take.

Frequently asked questions

Does devil's claw help back pain?

Devil's claw may beat placebo for short-term low back pain at 50-100 mg harpagoside daily, but the evidence is limited: the Cochrane finding rests on just two trials with 315 participants, rated low quality.

Does devil's claw work for arthritis?

Devil's claw for osteoarthritis is unproven (limited evidence): the main trial compared it with diacerein, a weak drug, with no placebo arm. That shows non-inferiority to a modest comparator, not proven benefit.

How much devil's claw should I take?

Buy devil's claw on harpagoside content: 50-100 mg harpagoside per day, roughly 600-2400 mg of extract, split into 2-3 doses with food. Benefit, if any, builds over 2-4 weeks.

Who should not take devil's claw?

Devil's claw stimulates stomach acid, so avoid it with active ulcers, gastritis or reflux, and do not combine it long term with NSAIDs. Case reports describe raised INR on warfarin, and devil's claw should be avoided in pregnancy.

Scientific references

Where to buy

Nature's Answer, Devil's Claw Extract, Alcohol-Free, 1,000 mg, 1 fl oz (30 ml)

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