Hepatitis caused by Lotus-f3?

Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2009 May;104(5):414-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1742-7843.2009.00385.x.

Abstract

We present a case of hepatitis and jaundice are associated with ingestion of Lotus-f3 submitted to our regional pharmacovigilance centre. A 56-year-old woman with psoriatic arthritis developed increased liver enzymes and jaundice 3 weeks after having started to take the product. The woman had been treated with etanercept for more than a year. She was hospitalized with hepatitis, and viral causes were ruled out. Liver biopsy suggested autoimmune or toxic hepatitis. Both etanercept and Lotus-f3 were withdrawn, and 6 weeks later the liver enzymes were normalized without any treatment. Etanercept was subsequently successfully reintroduced, and based on the rapid resolution of the hepatitis, a toxic effect of Lotus-f3 was suggested. This was the first report in the national adverse drug reaction database for this product, but three similar cases have now been reported. Lotus-f3 contains an extract of green tea, which has been associated with hepatotoxicity. The Norwegian adverse drug reaction database contains nine reports of hepatitis or jaundice associated with natural products. Four different natural products containing extracts of green tea have been suspected in eight out of these nine reports.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Arthritis, Psoriatic / drug therapy
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / diagnosis
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / enzymology
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / etiology*
  • Etanercept
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / administration & dosage
  • Immunoglobulin G / therapeutic use
  • Jaundice / chemically induced
  • Jaundice / diagnosis
  • Jaundice / enzymology
  • Liver Function Tests
  • Middle Aged
  • Plant Extracts / administration & dosage
  • Plant Extracts / adverse effects*
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / administration & dosage
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Lotus-f3
  • Plant Extracts
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor
  • Etanercept