Kava Personal Injury Lawyer

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (website) is advising consumers of the potential risk associated with the use of kava-containing dietary supplements. Kava (Piper methysticum) is a plant indigenous to the islands in the South Pacific where it is commonly used to prepare a traditional beverage.

Liver-related risks associated with the use of kava have prompted regulatory agencies in other countries, including those in Germany, Switzerland, France, Canada, and the United Kingdom, to take action ranging from warning consumers about the potential risks of kava use to removing kava-containing products from the marketplace. Although liver damage appears to be rare, FDA believes consumers should be informed of this potential risk.

Kava-containing products have been associated with liver-related injuries – including hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver failure — in over 25 reports of adverse events in other countries. Four patients required liver transplants. In the U.S., FDA has received a report of a previously healthy young female who required liver transplantation, as well as several reports of liver-related injuries.

Given these reports, persons who have liver disease or liver problems, or persons who are taking drug products that can affect the liver, should consult a physician before using kava-containing supplements.

Consumers who use a kava-containing dietary supplement and who experience signs of illness associated with liver disease should also consult their physician. Symptoms of serious liver disease include jaundice (yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes) and brown urine. Non-specific symptoms of liver disease can include nausea, vomiting, light-colored stools, unusual tiredness, weakness, stomach or abdominal pain, and loss of appetite.

FDA urges consumers and their health care professionals to report any cases of liver and other injuries that may be related to the use of kava-containing dietary supplements. Adverse events associated with the use of dietary supplements should be reported as soon as possible to FDA's MedWatch program by calling their toll-free number (1-800-332-1088) or through the Internet (here).

Supplements containing the herbal ingredient kava are promoted for relaxation (e.g., to relieve stress, anxiety, and tension), sleeplessness, menopausal symptoms and other uses. FDA has not made a determination about the ability of kava dietary supplements to provide such benefits.The presence of kava in a supplement should be identified on the product label in the "Supplement Facts" box. The following are commonly used names for kava:

FDA will continue to investigate the relationship, if any, between the use of dietary supplements containing kava and liver injury. The agency's investigation includes attempting to determine a biological explanation for the relationship and to identify the different sources of kava in the U.S. and Europe. The agency will alert consumers, and if warranted, take additional action as more information becomes available.

Also, FDA informs healthcare professionals that products containing herbal extracts of kava have been implicated in Europe in at least 25 cases of serious liver toxicity including hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver failure. Products containing herbal extracts of kava have been implicated in cases of serious liver toxicity in Germany and Switzerland. Approximately 25 reports of hepatic toxicity associated with the use of products containing kava extracts have been reported in these countries. Serious hepatic adverse effects include hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver failure. At least one patient required a liver transplant. Based on their assessment of the adverse events reported to them, the regulatory authority in Switzerland has prohibited the sale of products containing the kava extract associated with the adverse effects. Last month, the German authorities issued a proposal to remove all kava extract-containing products from the market.

FDA is investigating whether the use of kava-containing dietary supplements in the United States poses similar public health concerns. The agency has received several reports of serious injury allegedly associated with the use of kava-containing dietary supplements, with at least one report of hepatic failure requiring liver transplantation in a previously healthy young female.

Dietary supplements containing kava are promoted for a variety of uses, including relaxation (e.g., to relieve stress, anxiety, and tension), insomnia, and postmenstrual syndrome (PMS). The products are marketed to all segments of the population, including children, women, men, and the elderly.

Due to the potentially serious nature of these concerns, we urge you to report any cases of hepatic toxicity that you think may be related to the use of kava-containing dietary supplements. Adverse events associated with the use of dietary supplements should be reported as soon as possible to FDA's MedWatch program by telephone (1-800-332-1088) or through the Internet (here). (more)

Kava Links

FDA/CFSAN Consumer Advisory: Kava (more)

It is now official in the United States. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning about the potential for serious liver damage and toxicity, in some cases requiring liver transplant, if you use kava (more)

FDA investigating kava kava (more)

FDA information on dietary supplements (more)

Kava May Cause Liver Damage (more)

'Emotional aspirin' herb may damage the liver — Kava, an herb that's supposed to make you feel relaxed, has been banned in two European countries because of possible liver toxicity. (more)

Drugs that pose a risk to the liver Fort Worth Star-Telegram (here)

The case against kava

Feel-good kava has a down side

Herbal Remedies: Natural Does Not Mean Safe

To report Kava side effects go here