Publication
Title
Toxic hepatitis due to a food supplement : "Natural" is no synonym for "harmless"
Author
Abstract
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 (R), 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 (R), 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 (R)-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". (C) 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Clinics and research in hepatology and gastroenterology. - Amsterdam, 2011, currens
Publication
Amsterdam : Elsevier Masson , 2016
ISSN
2210-7401 [print]
2210-741X [online]
DOI
10.1016/J.CLINRE.2015.12.016
Volume/pages
40 :4 (2016) , p. 38-43
ISI
000388875200002
Pubmed ID
26971288
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 10.01.2017
Last edited 09.10.2023
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