Supplements Are Not a Synonym for Safe: Suspected Liver Injury From Ashwagandha

Abstract

FEDERAL PRACTITIONER • 315 mdedge.com/fedprac Background: As patients look more to alternative herbal and dietary supplements to boost energy and mood, reports are increasing of unintended adverse effects, particularly to the liver. Case Presentation: We report a case of a 48-year-old man with a history of severe alcohol use disorder who presented to the emergency department with a cholestatic pattern of liver injury in the setting of alcohol and use of a testosteroneboosting supplement containing ashwagandha.Conclusions: Drug-induced liver damage should be considered in patients with alcohol use disorder who present with a cholestatic pattern of liver injury. Although many natural substances are well tolerated, others can have unanticipated and harmful adverse effects and drug interactions. Future research should identify not only potentially harmful substances, but also which patients may be at greatest risk.