InteractionsDo not take kava unless you are under the supervision of a qualified health care provider, especially if you are being treated for any disease. Do not take kava with any prescription and non-prescription medications. Kava kava may interact with the following: Anticonvulsants -- Kava may increase the effects of medications used to treat seizures. Alcohol -- Do not use kava and alcohol together. The risk of impairment and the risk of liver damage are greatly increased. Anxiety agents -- Kava may increase the effects of CNS depressants such as benzodiazepines, used for sleep disturbances or anxiety (particularly alprazolam), and barbiturates (such as pentobarbital) which are used for sleep disorders and seizures. Antipsychotic medications -- Kava may increase the risk of side effects associated with phenothiazine medications (often used for the treatment of schizophrenia), including chlorpromazine and promethazine. Levodopa -- There has been at least one report that kava may reduce the effectiveness of levodopa, a medication used to treat Parkinson's disease. Therefore, you should not take this herb if you are taking any medications containing levodopa or if you have Parkinson's disease.
Drug Interactions
Review Date:
1/17/2007 Reviewed By: Ernest B. Hawkins, MS, BSPharm, RPh, Health Education Resources; and Steven D. Ehrlich, N.M.D., private practice specializing in complementary and alternative medicine, Phoenix, AZ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997-
A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.  |
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