• Basic Info
• Top Questions
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What is kava?
Kava is also known as Piper methysticum, awa, kava-kava, kew, tonga, ava, ava pepper, intoxicating pepper, kawa, kava pepper, kava root, rauschpfeffer, sakau, tonga, wurzelstock, and yangona. Kava has been used to induce and improve sleep, and to decrease anxiety, nervousness, stress, and restlessness. Kava has not been approved by the FDA to treat any disease, and it should not be substituted for prescription medications. Kava may also have uses other than those listed in this medication guide.

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What are the possible side effects of kava?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop taking kava and seek emergency medical attention if you have liver symptoms such as nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, itching, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Other less serious side effects have also been reported. Talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care professional if you experience

• morning drowsiness,

• changes in vision, or

• upset stomach.

Kava should not be used for longer than three months without a doctor's supervision. The long-term use of kava has reportedly lead to "kawanism", which is characterized by dry, flaking, discolored skin; reddened eyes; a scaly skin rash; puffy face; muscle weakness; blood abnormalities; and feelings of poor health.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care professional about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

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How should I take kava?
Kava has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or purity. All potential risks and/or advantages of this product may not be known. Additionally, there are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for these compounds. Some marketed herbal supplements have been found to be contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination. If you choose to take kava, use it exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider.

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What is the most important information I should know about kava?
Kava has been shown to cause severe liver injury including hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver failure. Do not take kava if you have liver problems or take medications that can affect the liver. Stop taking kava and seek emergency medical attention if you have liver symptoms such as nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, itching, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). You should not take kava if you are pregnant. Kava may cause weaken muscle tone in the uterus.

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What happens if I miss a dose?
No information is available regarding a missed dose of kava. Ask your doctor, pharmacist, or healthcare professional for instructions if you miss a dose.

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What other drugs will affect kava?
Before taking kava, tell your doctor if you are also using a sedative such as diazepam (Valium) or similar medicines such as alprazolam (Xanax), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), clorazepate (Tranxene), estazolam (ProSom), flurazepam (Dalmane), lorazepam (Ativan), midazolam (Versed), temazepam (Restoril), triazolam (Halcion), and others. There may be other drugs that can interact with kava. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

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Can I take this if I am pregnant or trying to get pregnant or if I am breastfeeding?

You should not take kava if you are pregnant. Kava may cause weaken muscle tone in the uterus.

Do not take kava without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. It is not known whether kava will be harmful to a nursing infant.

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What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention. Symptoms of a kava overdose have been reported to include tiredness, sleepiness, and poor coordination. Kava should not be used for longer than three months without a doctor's supervision. The long-term use of kava has reportedly lead to "kawanism", which is characterized by dry, flaking, discolored skin; reddened eyes; a scaly skin rash; puffy face; muscle weakness; blood abnormalities; and feelings of poor health.

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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking kava?
Before taking kava, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, herbalist, or other healthcare provider. You may not be able to use this product if you have liver or kidney disease, or certain other medical conditions or allergies. Kava has been shown to cause severe liver injury including hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver failure. Do not take kava if you have liver problems or take medications that can affect the liver. Do not take kava without first talking to your doctor if you are depressed or if you are being treated for depression.

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Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.

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I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.

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