Kava - safety alerts & advisory statements

Kava (also known as kava kava or Piper methysticum) is a member of the pepper family and has traditionally been cultivated by Pacific Islanders for use as a social and ceremonial drink - either ground or chewed up and mixed with water or coconut milk. Some Aboriginal communities are also known to use kava, however kava has not been a part of their traditional systems.

Since 2001, the Therapeutic Goods Administration has closely followed mounting international concerns over reports of hepatotoxicity and deaths from liver failure associated with taking some kava-containing medicines.

• Kava fact sheet
  <http://www.tga.gov.au/cm/kavafs0504.htm>
  April 2005
• Information for sponsors: safety of kava-containing medicines
  <http://www.tga.gov.au/docs/html/kavaspon.htm>
  August 2002
• TGA recalls over the counter medicines containing kava
  <http://www.health.gov.au/internet/wcms/Publishing.nsf/Content/health-mediarel-yr2002-tw-tw02026.htm>
  Trish Worth media release, 15 August 2002
• Consumer warning on kava-containing medicines
  <http://www.health.gov.au/internet/wcms/Publishing.nsf/Content/health-mediarel-yr2002-tw-tw02005.htm>
  Trish Worth media release, 17 March 2002
• Consumer advice on kava
  <http://www.tga.gov.au/docs/html/kavaci.htm>
  26 February 2002
• Kava practitioner alert
  <http://www.tga.gov.au/docs/html/kavapa.htm>
  26 February 2002