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Hepatitis caused by Lotus-f3?
1Regional Drug Information Centre (RELIS Vest), Haukeland University Hospital, Haukeland University, Bergen, Norway.
Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology
|May 6, 2009
Summary
A patient developed hepatitis and jaundice after taking Lotus-f3, a green tea extract supplement. Discontinuation led to recovery, suggesting Lotus-f3 as a potential cause of drug-induced liver injury.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Pharmacovigilance
- Toxicology
Background:
- Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is a significant concern in clinical practice.
- Natural products, including herbal supplements, are increasingly recognized as potential causes of DILI.
- Green tea extract (GTE) has been previously associated with hepatotoxicity.
Observation:
- A 56-year-old woman with psoriatic arthritis developed hepatitis and jaundice three weeks after initiating Lotus-f3.
- Viral etiologies were excluded, and liver biopsy suggested autoimmune or toxic hepatitis.
- Discontinuation of both etanercept and Lotus-f3 led to normalization of liver enzymes.
Findings:
- Reintroduction of etanercept did not cause adverse effects, strongly implicating Lotus-f3 as the cause of hepatitis.
- This represents the first reported case of Lotus-f3-associated hepatotoxicity in the national database, with three similar cases now identified.
- Lotus-f3 contains green tea extract, a component linked to hepatotoxicity in other reports.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential hepatotoxicity of Lotus-f3, a green tea extract supplement.
- Healthcare providers should consider natural products like Lotus-f3 in the differential diagnosis of unexplained hepatitis.
- Further pharmacovigilance is warranted to assess the safety profile of green tea-containing supplements.
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