kava kava

Last reviewed 01/2018

Kava root (Piper methysticium)

• evidence from clinical trials suggest that standardised extracts may alleviate mild symptoms of anxiety
  
• reported adverse effects include:
  • a reversible yellowing of the skin (kava dermopathy), allergic reactions, blurred vision
  • may increase the effects of concomitant central nervous system drugs e.g. benzodiazepines, barbiturates, alcohol
  • 30 cases of hepatoxicity were reported in Germany which led to Germany's Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical devices issuing a preliminary ban of the sale of kava in November 2001. Note that all but five of the cases are complicated by other factors
  • a voluntary ban suspending the sale of kava in the UK came into place in December 2001. A prohibition order regarding medicinal products containing kava came into force on the 13 January 2003 (2). There have been 4 reports of liver toxicity in the UK suspected to be due to consumption of kava (2)
• on the basis of the data available, the Committee on Safety of Medicines has recommended that the possible therapeutic benefits of medicinal products containing kava cannot be considered to outweigh the risks of hepatotoxicity (2)

Reference:

1. Pulse (2002), 62 (18), 100.
2. Current Problems in Pharmacovigilance (2003), 29, 8-9.