Kava kava in the hot seat – Update

January 18, 2002 – Health Canada has issued a warning not to use herbal products containing kava kava pending the results of the safety and efficacy assessment which is currently underway.¹ In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is also looking into the matter. The French Agency for the Safety of Health Products (AFSSAPS) has, for its part, suspended the marketing of kava.² These decisions were made after 30 cases of hepatitis or liver failure were reported in Germany and Switzerland relating to the ingestion of kava resulting in death and four liver transplants. France followed Switzerland which banned kava last week. Germany plans to do so soon and a voluntary product recall has been carried out in Britain.

Kava, from Polynesia and mainly marketed in capsule form, is highly prized for its relaxing and sedative properties. The relationship between the ingestion of kava and its increased toxicity to the liver which can lead to damage has recently been established. Side effects such as numbness, nausea and difficulty breathing have also been noted.

Excessive dosage seems to be one of the causes of the aforementioned liver problems since three of the four people who had a transplant had exceeded the recommended daily dose (60 to 120 mg). Additionally, a genetic defect preventing kava from metabolizing properly has been cited. Other interpretations suggest a possible contamination of certain products or a reduced quality of production due to the increase in demand for kava due to its high popularity. A greater number of people using drugs could also be responsible for the appearance of lesions that the rarity made invisible before.³

Élisabeth Mercader – PasseportSanté.net

According to Richter NewsLetter, November 30, 2001 and National Post, January 10, 2002

1. Health Canada. Health Canada is warning consumers not to use products that contain kava. [Consulté le 18 janvier 2002]. http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/francais/protection/mises_garde/2002/2002_02e.htm 2. French agency for the safety of health products. Kawa and liver damage. [Consulté le 11 janvier 2002]. http://agmed.sante.gouv.fr/htm/10/filcoprs/indco.htm
3. Healthnotes. Kava, used traditionally and widely considered safe, is surprisingly linked to liver damage. [Consulté le 11 janvier 2002]. http://www.healthnotes.com/online/newswire_2001_12_13_1.htm