Drug points: Hepatitis associated with Kava, a herbal remedy for anxiety
- 20 January 2001
- Vol. 322 (7279) , 139
- https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.322.7279.139
Abstract
Kava, the rhizome of the pepper plant Piper methysticum , has been widely used in the South Pacific as a narcotic drink. Lactones, the major constituents of kava, are considered to be pharmacologically active and are sold in Europe and the United States as standardised extracts for anxiety and tension. A 50 year old man presented to his doctor because of jaundice. He had noticed fatigue for a month, a “tanned” skin, and dark urine. The medical history was unremarkable …Keywords
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