Herbal does not mean innocuous: ten cases of severe hepatotoxicity associated with dietary supplements from Herbalife products.

Herbal does not mean innocuous: ten cases of severe hepatotoxicity associated with dietary supplements from Herbalife products. Research Abstract Details 

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Herbal does not mean innocuous: ten cases of severe hepatotoxicity associated with dietary supplements from Herbalife products. Abstract Text:

Alain M Schoepfer,Antoinette Engel,Karin Fattinger,Urs A Marbet,Dominique Criblez,Juerg Reichen,Arthur Zimmermann,Carl M Oneta,Alain M Schoepfer,Antoinette Engel,Karin Fattinger,Urs A Marbet,Dominique Criblez,Juerg Reichen,Arthur Zimmermann,Carl M Oneta,

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Herbal agents are popular and perceived as safe because they are supposedly 'natural'. We report 10 cases of toxic hepatitis implicating Herbalife products. METHODS: To determine the prevalence and outcome of hepatotoxicity due to Herbalife products. A questionnaire was sent to all public Swiss hospitals. Reported cases were subjected to causality assessment using the CIOMS criteria. RESULTS: Twelve cases of toxic hepatitis implicating Herbalife preparations (1998-2004) were retrieved, 10 sufficiently documented to permit causality analysis. Median age of patients was 51 years (range 30-69) and latency to onset was 5 months (0.5-144). Liver biopsy (7/10) showed hepatic necrosis, marked lymphocytic/eosinophilic infiltration and cholestasis in five patients. One patient with fulminant liver failure was successfully transplanted; the explant showed giant cell hepatitis. Sinusoidal obstruction syndrome was observed in one case. Three patients without liver biopsy presented with hepatocellular (2) or mixed (1) liver injury. Causality assessment of adverse drug reaction was classified as certain in two, probable in seven and possible in one case(s), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We present a case series of toxic hepatitis implicating Herbalife products. Liver toxicity may be severe. A more detailed declaration of components and pro-active role of regulatory agencies would be desirable.

Herbal does not mean innocuous: ten cases of severe hepatotoxicity associated with dietary supplements from Herbalife products. Publishing Authors By Initials

AM Schoepfer,A Engel,K Fattinger,UA Marbet,D Criblez,J Reichen,A Zimmermann,CM Oneta,AM Schoepfer,A Engel,K Fattinger,UA Marbet,D Criblez,J Reichen,A Zimmermann,CM Oneta,

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Herbal does not mean innocuous: ten cases of severe hepatotoxicity associated with dietary supplements from Herbalife products. Journal Published:

PUBLICATION TYPE: Journal Article

Journal: Journal of hepatology

VOLUME: 47

Page Numbers: 521-6

Journal Abbreviation: J. Hepatol.

ISSN: 0168-8278

DAY: 24

MONTH: 07

YEAR: 2007

Herbal does not mean innocuous: ten cases of severe hepatotoxicity associated with dietary supplements from Herbalife products. Information

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LANGUAGE: eng

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AFFILIATION: University Hospital of Bern, Gastroenterology Clinic, Bern, Switzerland.

Country: England

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MEDLINETA: J Hepatol

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