Herbalife Hepatotoxicity

Herbal does not necessarily mean innocuous: ten cases of severe hepatotoxicity connected with nutritional supplements from Herbalife items.

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

Source

College Hospital of Bern, Gastroenterology Clinic, Bern, Europe.

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS:

Herbal agents are popular and regarded as safe since they're allegedly 'natural'. We report 10 cases of toxic hepatitis implicating Herbalife items.

Techniques:

To look for the prevalence and results of hepatotoxicity because of Herbalife items. A questionnaire was delivered to all public Swiss hospitals. Reported cases were exposed to causality assessment while using CIOMS criteria.

RESULTS:

Twelve cases of toxic hepatitis implicating Herbalife formulations (1998-2004) were retrieved, 10 sufficiently recorded allowing causality analysis. Median chronilogical age of patients was 51 years (range 30-69) and latency to onset was 5 several weeks (.5-144). Liver biopsy (7/10) demonstrated hepatic necrosis, marked lymphocytic/eosinophilic infiltration and cholestasis in five patients. One patient with fulminant liver failure was effectively adopted the explant demonstrated giant cell hepatitis. Sinusoidal obstruction syndrome was seen in one case. Three patients without liver biopsy given hepatocellular (2) or mixed (1) liver injury. Causality assessment of adverse drug reaction was classified as certain in 2, probable in seven and possible in a single case(s), correspondingly.

CONCLUSIONS:

We present a case number of toxic hepatitis implicating Herbalife items. Liver toxicity might be severe. A far more detailed promise of components and professional-active role of regulating agencies could be desirable.