The UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, also called MHRA, is cautioning people that they need to use Black Cohosh products carefully in the wake of the growing number of reports of adverse reactions associated with the herbal remedy.
Black cohosh, which is an herb native to North America, is used as a dietary supplement and for hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms. Black Cohosh products are available as authorized and unlicensed products legally on the market in pharmacies, supermarkets and health food shops.
While the registered products are quality checked and carry a leaflet with information on how to use the product with possible side effects listed, the unlicensed herbal products may have incomplete, inaccurate or no safety information, says the MHRA.
According to the regulatory agency, so far, there have been 53 reports of adverse reactions suspected to be associated with the use of Black Cohosh products, of which 36 cases involved liver problems, including abnormal liver function, jaundice and hepatitis.
Recently there was also one report of a serious case of liver failure resulting in a liver transplant suspected to have been caused by a product containing Black Cohosh. The investigation of this case and of the product involved is ongoing.
It is important that people with a history of liver problems do not use Black Cohosh herbal products, says Richard Woodfield, the MHRA's Head of Herbal Policy.
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