http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/SAFETY/2002/safety02.htm#kavaKava-containing Dietary Supplements (Piper methysticum)
Audience: Healthcare Professionals and Consumers
The FDA Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) notified healthcare professionals and consumers of the potential risk of severe liver injury associated with the use of kava-containing dietary supplements. Supplements containing the herbal ingredient kava are promoted for relaxation (e.g., to relieve stress, anxiety, and tension), sleeplessness, menopausal symptoms and other uses. Kava-containing products have been associated with liver-related injuries, including hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver failure. 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. [The links below open new browser windows with the CFSAN safety alert pages.]
[March 26, 2002 Consumer Advisory - FDA]
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/%7Edms/addskava.html [March 26, 2002 Letter to Healthcare Professionals - FDA]
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/%7Edms/ds-ltr29.html Past FDA Alerts
[Dec 19, 2001 Letter to Healthcare Professionals - FDA]
http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/SAFETY/2001/kava.htm
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