Supplements Are Not a Synonym for Safe: Suspected Liver Injury From Ashwagandha.
- 2023-09
- Federal practitioner : for the health care professionals of the VA, DoD, and PHS 40(9)
- Sondra Vazirani
- Amit Kothari
- Jeffrey Fujimoto
- Mariana Gomez
- PubMed: 38562158
- DOI: 10.12788/fp.0409
Study Design
- Type
- Case Report
- Population
- a 48-year-old man with a history of severe alcohol use disorder
Background
As patients look more to alternative herbal and dietary supplements to boost energy and mood, reports are increasing of unintended adverse effects, particularly to the liver.Case presentation
We report a case of a 48-year-old man with a history of severe alcohol use disorder who presented to the emergency department with a cholestatic pattern of liver injury in the setting of alcohol and use of a testosterone-boosting supplement containing ashwagandha.Conclusions
Drug-induced liver damage should be considered in patients with alcohol use disorder who present with a cholestatic pattern of liver injury. Although many natural substances are well tolerated, others can have unanticipated and harmful adverse effects and drug interactions. Future research should identify not only potentially harmful substances, but also which patients may be at greatest risk.Research Insights
We report a case of a 48-year-old man with a history of severe alcohol use disorder who presented to the emergency department with a cholestatic pattern of liver injury in the setting of alcohol and use of a testosterone-boosting supplement containing ashwagandha.
- Effect
- Harmful
- Effect size
- Large
Adverse Events Reported
We report a case of a 48-year-old man with a history of severe alcohol use disorder who presented to the emergency department with a cholestatic pattern of liver injury in the setting of alcohol and use of a testosterone-boosting supplement containing ashwagandha.
- Finding
- Reported