Unlock the Power of Butterbur: Discover the Latest Research on Petadolex®

Research on Petadolex® brand butterbur extract

Available in Canada since 1999 Petadolex® is a well-researched, widely used herbal health care product that helps to reduce the frequency of migraine headaches when taken preventatively.

Canadian Headache Society Guideline authors recommend that clinicians offer butterbur 75 mg twice daily to eligible patients for migraine prophylaxis.

THE GUIDELINES ADD THIS CAUTION: “Only commercially prepared products in which plant carcinogens and hepatoxic alkaloids have been removed and which have been standardized to contain a minimum of 15% petasins are recommended. Patients should be cautioned against consuming the plant in any other form.” Petadolex® is the butterbur extract that meets these safety and purity guidelines, and it was Petadolex® brand butterbur that was researched in developing these guidelines.

Petadolex® is the butterbur extract that meets these safety and purity guidelines, and it was Petadolex® brand butterbur that was researched in developing these guidelines.

Research the safety, tolerability and effectiveness of Petadolex®

HC Diener, FG Frietag, U Danesch, Cephalalgia Reports v. 1: 1-8, 2018
Safety profile of a special butterbur extract from Petasites hybridusin migraine prevention with emphasis on the liver.

Key Facts: There is no evidence that the special butterbur root extract Petadolex poses a substantial risk of liver injury for patients.
R Pothmann, U Danesh, Headache 2005; 45:196-203
Migraine prevention in children and adolescents: results of an open study with a special butterbur root extract [Petadolex®].

Key Facts: Overall (children age 6-17), 77.2% reported 50% or greater reduction in migraine attack frequency. 81.6% reported substantial migraine improvement.
RW Evans, FR Taylor, Headache 2006; 46:1012–1018
“Natural” or Alternative Medications for Migraine Prevention.

Key Facts: After examining the research on alternative medications for migraine, including feverfew, butterbur (Petadolex®), magnesium, riboflavin, CoQ10 and melatonin, data suggests “it would seem fair to state that Petadolex® may be the best safety tested herbal to date for the treatment of headache with CAM. It should be noted, however, that due to lack of data, such affirmation for other Petasites preparations currently must be withheld.”
HC Diener, VW Rahlfs, U Danesch, European Neurology 2004; 51:89-97
The First Placebo-Controlled Trial of a Special Butterbur Root Extract for the Prevention of Migraine: Reanalysis of Efficacy Criteria.

Key Facts: 45% (vs. 15% in the placebo group) reported an improvement in migraine frequency of 50% or greater. Patients tolerated Petadolex® well. Study concluded that butterbur may be effective in the prophylaxis of migraine.
RB Lipton et al, Neurology 2004; 63-2240-44
Petasites hybridus root (butterbur) is an effective preventive treatment for migraine.

Key Facts: 68% reduction in migraine attack frequency with 75 mg Petadolex®
HC Diener, FG Frietag, U Danesch, Cephalalgia Reports v. 1: 1-8, 2018
.S. National Center for Natural Products Research, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences: University of Mississippi. Report

Key Facts: Of the 21 commercial butterbur products analyzed only 7 contained the label-specified quantities of active ingredients and no PAs. Of these, one was Petadolex® and 3 were bulk manufacturers using relabeled Petadolex®.