Kava or Kava Kava (Piper methysticum) Liver Damage, Liver Failure & Death

Currently the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating whether the use of dietary supplements containing kava (also known as kava kava or Piper methysticum) pose a health risk. Recent reports from European health authorities have linked kava use to at least 25 cases of liver toxicity, including hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver failure. The FDA has issued a letter to health professionals requesting that they report any adverse events associated with the use of kava products. Products containing kava are sold in the United States for a variety of uses, including insomnia and short-term reduction of stress, premenstrual syndrome,and anxiety. These products are marketed to men, women, children, and the elderly. Sales reportedly topped $30 million in the USA last year, according to the non-profit American Botanical Council in Austinx 

Safety Concerns and Adverse Health Problems with Kava Use

Safety concerns first arose in Switzerland and Germany, where 25 to 30 reports of liver toxicity — characterized by jaundice and a variety of other symptoms — were tied to kava products. Switzerland has banned products containing the kava extract linked to the adverse effects. In Great Britain, where there have been no reports of side effects, makers voluntarily pulled kava products from shelves.According to the British Medicines Control Agency, there were six cases of liver failure reported in kava users in Germany and Switzerland. One person died, four needed liver transplants, and the sixth was being evaluated for a transplant. In some cases, the kava users also were taking other drugs tied to liver problems.

Kava products are among the top-selling herbal dietary supplements in the United States. Reporting of side effects is mandatory in Europe but voluntary in the United States, notes Christine Taylor, director of the FDA's Office of Nutritional Products, Labeling and Dietary Supplements. Only in recent years has the FDA heard several reports of health problems in kava users in the United States. This month, the FDA drew up a letter asking health care professionals to check whether any patients with liver toxicity may have been using kava.

"At this point, we're not sure how many (cases) we're talking about," Taylor says. "I'm putting as many staff as I can on it." A coalition of trade groups has hired a toxicologist to review the reported cases. "One case report here, one case report there does not necessarily constitute a strong body of proof for anything," says Mark Blumenthal, of the American Botanical Council. Meanwhile, his group advises against taking kava daily for more than four weeks. And those who have liver problems, take drugs that affect the liver or drink alcohol regularly should not use it at all.(Source Rita Rubin, USA TODAY)

In Canada, Health Canada  is advising consumers not to use any products that contain the herbal ingredient kava (also known as kava-kava), with or without drug identification numbers (DINs), in light of recent reports of liver toxicity related to use of kava products in Europe. Kava is found in herbal and homeopathic preparations, and marketed to treat anxiety, nervousness, insomnia, pain and muscle tension. It may also be found as an ingredient in food products. It is widely used in Europe, and has become increasingly used in Canada.

Kava- Liver Toxicity

There have been at least 24 reports of liver toxicity associated with the use of kava products internationally, including one reported death, and several cases which required liver transplantation. However, no cases of liver toxicity have been reported in Canada. Like Health Canada, other international regulatory agencies (Germany, France, Switzerland, U.K., U.S.A.) are taking steps to prevent liver-related risks associated with the use of kava-containing products.

As a result of these international reports, Health Canada is now reviewing the safety and effectiveness of kava. To ensure the safety and health of consumers in the interim, Health Canada is issuing this advisory, advising consumers not to use any products which contain kava until the safety assessment can be completed.Once the safety assessment is completed, and all international safety data are analyzed, Health Canada will communicate the results to the public, and take further action if required. Consumers are advised to check the labels of any herbal products for the presence of kava, and to discontinue use of any product labelled to contain kava.

Lawsuits for Kava & Related Liver Complications 

If you or a loved one has suffered serious adverse effects such as a liver failure or severe liver damage or other serious medical conditions after taking a diet product, nutritional supplement or any other herbal product containing kava, then you may be entitled to monetary compensation for your injuries, medical expenses, and other damages. Call us at 1-800-883-9858 or 1-800-468-4878 Toll Free