MezZedUp
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Nov 14, 2001
- Messages
- 716
I read this article at work the other night. It is from the March edition of Pharmacy News. I thought it would be of interest given the recent discussion of sleeping aids which included using supplements containing kava.
Kava liver damage alert (Janet Grist)
The Theraputic Goods Administration (TGA) has issued an alert on emerging concerns about medicines containing kava, folloing reports linking their use with liver damage.
The TGA is recommending that anyone using kava-containing medicineds (also known as kava kava or Piper methysticum) should seek medical advice if they experience any unexplained symptoms [of liver problems like jaundice, gastrointestinal upset, unusual tiredness or mild fever, unexplained bruising/bleeding].
Reports from Germany and Switzerland have linked kava extracts with 30 serious cases of liver toxicity, some of which have resulted in the need for liver transplantation.
The TGA is proposing a withdrawal of products containing the extract. There are no Australian cases of kava related liver problems (which have been reported anyway)
This is not conclusive, but the artical contains a recommendation that kava should not be taken daily for more than 4 weeks and that consumers should be aware of symptoms to watch for, and seek medical advice if there are suspected liver problems arising.
Anyone who wants the full version of the article (there isn't a lot more than what I've quoted or summarised) email me at [email protected] and I'll send you the entire article.