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Drug Interactions between Alcohol (contained in alcoholic beverages) and kava

This report displays the potential drug interactions for the following 2 drugs:

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Moderate

ethanol kava

Applies to: Alcohol (contained in alcoholic beverages) (ethanol) and kava

GENERALLY AVOID: The combination of kava and alcohol poses a theoretical risk of additive hepatotoxicity during chronic concomitant use. Studies in mice also suggest that the hypnotic effects of kava and alcohol may be synergistically increased when taken together, and that alcohol can markedly potentiate the toxicity of kava. However, a clinical study in humans found no influence on safety-related performance parameters associated with the combination.

MANAGEMENT: In general, patients should consult a healthcare provider before taking any herbal or alternative medicine. Use of kava-containing products with alcohol should be avoided. Patients using kava should be instructed to discontinue the drug promptly and seek medical attention if signs and symptoms of hepatic injury develop, including fever, rash, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, right upper quadrant pain, dark urine, and jaundice.

References

  1. Miller LG (1998) "Herbal medicinals: selected clinical considerations focusing on known or potential drug-herb interactions." Arch Intern Med, 158, p. 2200-11
  2. Escher M, Desmeules J, Giostra E, Mentha G (2001) "Hepatitis associated with Kava, a herbal remedy for anxiety." Br Med J, 322, p. 139
  3. Russmann S, Lauterburg BH, Helbling A (2001) "Kava hepatotoxicity." Ann Intern Med, 135, p. 68-9
  4. Izzo AA, Ernst E (2001) "Interactions between herbal medicines and prescribed drugs: a systematic review." Drugs, 61, p. 2163-75
  5. Brinckmann J, Blumenthal M, eds., Goldberg A (2000) "Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs." Newton, MA: Integrative Medicine Communications
  6. (2002) "Hepatic toxicity possibly associated with kava-containing products--United States, Germany, and Switzerland, 1999-2002." MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep, 51, p. 1065-7
View all 6 references

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Drug and food interactions

No alcohol/food interactions were found. However, this does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.

Therapeutic duplication warnings

No warnings were found for your selected drugs.

Therapeutic duplication warnings are only returned when drugs within the same group exceed the recommended therapeutic duplication maximum.

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Drug Interaction Classification

These classifications are only a guideline. The relevance of a particular drug interaction to a specific individual is difficult to determine. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication.
Major Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit.
Moderate Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances.
Minor Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan.
Unknown No interaction information available.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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