Health food stores and pharmacies are withdrawing all products containing the herb Kava Kava, following reports of serious adverse reactions.
Germany has already reported one death following consumption of the herbal remedy, while 30 cases of liver damage have been recorded in Germany and Switzerland. Four of these cases required liver transplants.
The Kava Kava shrub (Piper methysticum) has been available since the early 1900s and is generally grown in the South Pacific.
It is sold over the counter and is used for its relaxing and calming effects. Most manufacturers sell it in tablet form, with the word Kava included in the product name.
There have been no reports of liver damage associated with Kava Kava in this State yet, according to the Irish Medicines Board.
"But we don't want to wait until a case is documented before taking action," said Dr Joan Gilvarry, medical director of the IMB.
The IMB has urged the public to discontinue immediately the use of any products containing Kava Kava.
It has encouraged anyone concerned about side-effects to contact their GP.
The symptoms of liver damage include jaundice - a yellow discolouration of the skin and eyes, fatigue, nausea and vomiting.
Products containing Kava Kava have already been withdrawn from sale in the UK, France, Germany and Austria.
The voluntary withdrawal was announced yesterday following IMB consultations with health food and pharmaceutical representatives.
Ms Lorraine Archer, of the Irish Health Trade Association, said the withdrawal was a purely precautionary move.
She emphasised that there had been no reported side-effects in this State and said research would be carried out to investigate the product's safety.
