The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is advising consumers of the potential risk of severe liver injury from the use of dietary supplements containing kava (also known as kava kava or Piper methysticum). Recent reports from health authorities in Germany, Switzerland, France, Canada, and the United Kingdom have linked kava use to at least 25 cases of liver toxicity, including hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver failure. Although liver damage appears to be rare, the FDA believes consumers should be informed of this potential risk. Kava, a member of the pepper family, is an herbal supplement. Products containing kava are sold in the United States for a variety of uses, including insomnia and short-term reduction of stress and anxiety. These products are marketed to men, women, children, and the elderly.

NCCAM currently has one clinical study of kava on hold.

To view the advisory from the FDA Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, please visit the FDA web site at www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/addskava.html.

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