Liver Damage Warning on Black Cohosh Products Sweeps Europe

Filed in archive Miscellany on July 25, 2006

A perennial plant native to North America, the black cohosh (Cimicifugae racemosae rhizona) is a member of the buttercup family that has a long history of use by women for the reducation of menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes.

Just recently, the UK's Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is introducing warning labels for black cohosh products on potential liver damage. The MHRA announcement coincided with European Medicines Agency (EMEA)'s public safety announcement.

Black cohosh supplements has been a popular alternative to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in many countries including the UK now the MHRA wants warning labels to appear on black cohosh containing products.

The two agencies are urging patients and consumers to stop taking black cohosh and to tell their doctor if they are already taking the product and if they develop symptoms of liver damage.

Meanwhile, health care professionals are encouraged to ask patients about black cohosh use, and report suspected hepatic reactions to national adverse reaction reporting schemes.

Source: NutraIngredients

Photo Credit: National Park Service