Toxic hepatitis due to a food supplement: “Natural” is no synonym for “harmless” - 17/09/16
Summary |
Background/aims |
Herbal products are increasingly used in modern medicine for numerous indications. They are not considered as drugs and thus often not linked to side effects.
Material |
A 77-year-old patient presented with silent icterus and biochemical evidence of hepatocellular damage. Because of dyslipidaemia, he was recently prescribed Controchol®, a food supplement containing red yeast and green tea extracts.
Results |
Liver biopsy showed necro-inflammatory destruction of liver parenchym, collapse of reticulin matrix, cholestasis and gall duct damage, compatible with toxic hepatitis. After discontinuation of Controchol®, there was a gradual normalisation of the liver function tests. Liver injury is a known side effect of both red yeast and green tea extracts. After exclusion of other causes, we therefore concluded our patient had suffered from Controchol®-induced toxic hepatitis.
Conclusion |
Products that are conceived as “natural” alternatives for pharmacological drugs, like food supplements, are not free of side effects per se, and should not be considered as “harmless”.
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Vol 40 - N° 4
P. e38-e43 - septembre 2016 Retour au numéroBienvenue sur EM-consulte, la référence des professionnels de santé.
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