Kava

Kava is an herbal ingredient used in dietary supplements to promote relaxation by relieving stress, tension, and anxiety. Kava may also be used to fight insomnia and relieve menopause symptoms.

Kava is a plant indigenous to the South Pacific, where its roots are used to prepare a traditional drink. It may be referred to by many different names, including:

• Kava kava
• Kawa kawa
• Maori kava
• Kava pepper
• Kavapipar
• Ava
• Ava pepper
• Gi
• Kao
• Intoxicating pepper
• Long pepper
• Malohu
• Sakau
• Tonga
• Yagona
• Yongona

Side Effects of Kava

Although the FDA does not have the authority to regulate dietary supplements, it has received reports of serious side effects associated with the use of kava. These side effects include:

• Hepatitis - a condition characterized by abdominal pain, weight loss, and weakness. Hepatitis can lead to liver cancer.
• Cirrhosis - a condition characterized by scarring of the liver. Cirrhosis leads to increased blood pressure, jaundice, fatigue, skin that bruises easily, and confusion. Cirrhosis can be life-threatening in some cases.
• Liver failure - characterized by nausea, stool discoloration, and dark urine. Liver failure can result in difficulty walking, tremors, and impaired speech. Eventually, those suffering from liver failure will fall into a coma unless a liver transplant is performed.

Contact a Defective Drugs Lawyer

If you or a loved one has been harmed by kava, contact a kava attorney for more information. Use LawyerShop to locate a defective drugs attorney in your region.