Frequently asked questions

Your questions about Weliva® Cimidona® , answered.

  • 01

    Who can take Weliva® Cimidona®?

    Weliva® Cimidona® is intended for adult women experiencing menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats, fatigue, irritability, nervousness, trouble sleeping, mild joint pains, and headaches. 1

    If these symptoms align with your patients’ experiences, Weliva® Cimidona® may be worth considering to support symptom management.1,2

  • 02

    When can my patients start taking Weliva® Cimidona®?

    Your patients can start taking Weliva® Cimidona® as soon as they start to experience menopausal symptoms.1

  • 03

    What is the naturally sourced ingredient in Weliva® Cimidona®?

    Weliva® Cimidona® contains Ze 450, an exclusive naturally sourced extract of Actaea racemosa, also known as Black cohosh.3 This extract has been clinically proven to be effective in relieving menopausal symptoms menopause. 4-6

    Learn more

  • 04

    How does Weliva® Cimidona® work?

    While the mechanism of action of Ze 450 (Actaea racemosa extract) in Weliva® Cimidona® is yet to be fully elucidated, evidence indicates that the Ze 450 extract acts through non-estrogenic, neuro-hormonal pathways. Experimental studies show partial agonist activity at serotonin (5-HT1A, 5-HT1D, 5-HT7) and µ opiate receptors, which are involved in hypothalamic thermoregulation. By modulating these receptors, Ze 450 may stabilize the temperature-control centre of the brain and thereby reduce the frequency and intensity of hot flushes.4,6-10

    Since In vitro studies have shown that Ze 450 does not mediate any estrogenic effects, it could be considered a non-hormonal alternative to menopausal hormone therapy (MHT). 7,8

  • 05

    Is Weliva® Cimidona® estrogenic?

    Evidence from in vitro cell proliferation and receptor-binding assays, as well as in vivo studies measuring skin temperature in ovariectomized rats, indicated that Actaea racemosa extract acts through a non-estrogenic pathway. In these experiments, Actaea racemosa extract was compared with estradiol, confirming the absence of estrogen-like effects.7,8

  • 06

    Is Weliva® Cimidona® likely to interact with other medications?

    Weliva® Cimidona® does not have any clinically relevant drug-drug interactions.2

    Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa) has been shown in several human clinical trials to have no clinically important effects on multiple metabolic enzymes. However, there is a potential concern for interactions with certain transporters in the liver, which could reduce the effectiveness of such drugs as amiodarone, fexofenadine (Allegra®), glyburide, and many statin medications. 7

  • 07

    What are the warnings, precautions, and contradictions to the use of Weliva® Cimidona®?

    Cautions and warnings: Patients should consult a doctor if symptoms persist or worsen, or they have a liver disorder or develop symptoms of liver trouble.1

    Contraindications: Do not use in patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding.1

  • 08

    Can my patients use Weliva® Cimidona® when pregnant or breastfeeding?

    No. Weliva® Cimidona® is specifically designed for women dealing with menopausal symptoms. It's not meant for or recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.1

  • 09

    Does Weliva® Cimidona® contain lactose?

    Each Weliva™ Cimidona® tablet contains 44 mg lactose.12

  • 10

    Does Weliva® Cimidona® contain any allergens?

    Weliva® Cimidona® contains no added gluten, wheat, yeast, soy, artificial flavours, colours, or sweeteners.13

  • 11

    What non-medical ingredients are in Weliva® Cimidona®?

    The non-medical ingredients in in Weliva® Cimidona® are colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, and povidone.13

  • 12

    Does Weliva® Cimidona® affect liver function in any way?

    Cimidona®, containing the Ze 450 extract, is generally well-tolerated based on clinical studies and has in general been effectively used since 2005.5,6 In prospective clinical trials involving more than 1,200 patients, black cohosh was not associated with serum enzyme elevations during treatment and no cases of clinically apparent liver injury were reported in direct relation to black cohosh extract.3

    In addition, two independent reviews found no evidence linking standardized black cohosh extracts to liver toxicity:

    • A meta-analysis of 1,020 women in five randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trials showed no significant differences in liver function tests between black cohosh and placebo groups.14

    • A critical review of 69 reported liver-injury cases concluded that the data were inconsistent and had confounded variables, and did not support a causal link to black cohosh use.15

    Overall, these data indicate that Cimidona® does not adversely affect liver function. As with any supplements, patients should consult a doctor if symptoms persist or worsen, or they have a liver disorder or develop symptoms of liver trouble.1

  • 13

    Should my patients stop taking Weliva® Cimidona® before surgery?

    Advise your patients to inform their anesthesiologist and surgeon about all prescription medicines, over-the-counter products, and supplements they are taking. According to the American Society of Anesthesiologists, some supplements may impact anesthesia or surgery, so the care team may recommend pausing them temporarily.16

  • 14

    Can my patients still drive and use machines when taking Weliva® Cimidona®?

    Weliva® Cimidona® has no known adverse effects on the ability to drive or use machines.1

  • 15

    How long should patients take Weliva® Cimidona®?

    Menopausal symptoms may improve after a minimum of 6 weeks of Weliva® Cimidona® use.1 Evidence indicates symptom improvement can continue through 9 months of use.5

  • 16

    Where can I tell my patients they can find Weliva® Cimidona®?

    Tell your patients that they can find Weliva® Cimidona® at most pharmacies and retailers since it's available over the counter.

  • 17

    Where can pharmacies order Weliva® Cimidona®?

    To order Weliva® Cimidona®, pharmacies can contact pharmaceutical wholesalers and distributors and provide the corresponding product identification numbers.

    • McKesson: 187730

    • K&F: 169698

  • 18

    How can healthcare professionals obtain samples of Weliva® Cimidona®?

    Simply follow this link to fill out some information, and request samples.

References:

  1. Health Canada. Weliva® Cimidona® Product Licence. Issued, August 4, 2023.
  2. MAX Zeller Söhne AG. Cimidona® Product Information. November 2021.
  3. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury. Black Cohosh. Bethesda, MD; 2012-. Updated April 15, 2025. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547990/ . Accessed July 23, 2025.
  4. Friederichsen L, Nebel S, Zahner C, Bütikofer L, Stute P. Effect of Cimicifuga racemosa on metabolic parameters in women with menopausal symptoms: a retrospective observational study (CIMBOLIC). Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2020;301(2):517–523. doi:10.1007/s00404-019-05366-8
  5. Drewe J, Zimmermann C, Zahner C. The effect of a Cimicifuga racemosa extract Ze 450 in the treatment of climacteric complaints—an observational study. Phytomedicine. 2013;20(8–9):659–666. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2013.02.012
  6. Schellenberg R, Saller R, Hess L, et al. Dose-Dependent Effects of the Cimicifuga racemosa Extract Ze 450 in the Treatment of Climacteric Complaints: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012;2012:260301. doi:10.1155/2012/260301
  7. Garita-Hernandez M, Calzado MA, Caballero FJ, et al. The growth inhibitory activity of the Cimicifuga racemosa extract Ze 450 is mediated through estrogen- and progesterone-receptor–independent pathways. Planta Med. 2006;72(4):317–323. doi:10.1055/s-2005-916233
  8. Wuttke W, Seidlová-Wuttke D. Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) is a non-estrogenic alternative to hormone replacement therapy. Clinical Phytoscience. 2015;1(1):12. doi:10.1186/s40816-015-0013-0
  9. Drewe J, Bucher KA, Zahner C. A systematic review of non-hormonal treatments of vasomotor symptoms in climacteric and cancer patients. SpringerPlus. 2015;4:65. doi:10.1186/s40064-015-0808-y
  10. Rhyu M-R, Lu J, Webster DE, Fabricant DS, Farnsworth NR, Wang ZJ. Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa, Cimicifuga racemosa) behaves as a mixed competitive ligand and partial agonist at the human mu opiate receptor. J Agric Food Chem. 2006;54(26):9852–9857. doi:10.1021/jf062808u
  11. Asher GN, Corbett AH, Hawke RL. Common Herbal Dietary Supplement-Drug Interactions. Am Fam Physician. 2017;96(2):101–107.
  12. Cimidona Product Characteristics. MAX Zeller Sohne AG. May 2015.
  13. Weliva. Cimidona® Tablets for menopause providing multi-symptom relief. Accessed September 22, 2025. https://www.weliva.ca/cimidona
  14. Naser B, Schnitker J, Minkin MJ, Garcia de Arriba S, Nolte KU, Osmers R. Suspected black cohosh hepatotoxicity: no evidence by meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials for isopropanolic black cohosh extract. Menopause. 2011;18(4):366–375. doi:10.1097/gme.0b013e3181fcb2a6
  15. Teschke R. Black cohosh and suspected hepatotoxicity: inconsistencies, confounding variables, and prospective use of a diagnostic causality algorithm—a critical review. Menopause. 2010;17(2):426–440. doi:10.1097/gme.0b013e3181c5159c
  16. American Society of Anesthesiologists. Herbal Dietary Supplements and Anesthesia. 2020. Accessed September 22, 2025. www.madeforthismoment.asahq.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/ASA_Supplements-Anesthesia_Updated-1.pdf

Disclaimers: