Kava kava: LiverTox clinical and research information on drug-induced liver injury
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Published in LiverTox, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Methodology
Curated review of published case reports and case series of kava-associated hepatotoxicity, including latency, pattern of injury and outcomes
Key Findings
More than 100 cases of clinically apparent liver injury have been attributed to kava, including cases requiring transplantation, typically with hepatocellular injury after 1-3 months of use.
Conclusions
Kava carries a real if uncommon risk of severe hepatotoxicity that constrains long-term use.
Limitations
Case-report basis; incidence cannot be quantified.
Supplements Studied
More than 100 cases of clinically apparent liver injury have been attributed to kava, including cases requiring transplantation, typically with hepatocellular injury after 1-3 months of use.
Study Details
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