Warning over turmeric and curcumin supplements after rare fatality
Australia's medical watchdog has issued a warning over medicines and herbal supplements containing turmeric and curcumin.
The TGA says it has had 18 reports of liver problems from Aussies who had taken products containing either or both of the substances..
It said nine cases had enough information to suggest a liver injury may have been caused by the turmeric, known as Curcuma Longa, or curcumin which is found in turmeric.
According to the report, there were no other substances in four cases that were likely to have led to liver damage, and in two "severe" cases, one person passed away.
"Consumers and health professionals are advised that medicines and herbal supplements containing the herb Curcuma longa (turmeric) and/or curcumin may cause liver injury in rare cases," the TGA stated.
"This risk also relates to other ingredients from the Curcuma species as they contain naturally occurring curcumin: Curcuma aromatica, Curcuma zanthorrhiza, and Curcuma zedoaria."
Without a prescription, the products can be purchased through pharmacies, health food stores, and supermarkets.
No specific brands have been mentioned.According to the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods, the components are included in over 600 listed medications.
A consultation by the TGA is currently taking place while it considers whether warning labels are necessary.
The risk may be higher for products with better absorption or bioavailability and/or higher doses, according to the TGA. "Available evidence shows that there is a rare risk of liver injury from taking Curcuma longa (turmeric) and/or curcumin in medicinal dosage forms," the agency stated.
This uncommon adverse effect may be more likely to occur in people with current or past liver issues.
"However, at this time, there is insufficient data to definitively identify which medicines are more at risk."
It claimed that using turmeric in food at typical levels is safe.
Turmeric, also known as curcuma longa, is a plant that has been used for medicinal and culinary uses in Chinese and Indian traditional medicine for over 4,000 years.
Turmeric has a naturally occurring substance called curcumin, which can be extracted and used as an active component in pharmaceuticals.
Yellowing of the skin or eyes, black urine, nausea, vomiting, and extreme weariness and weakness are signs of liver issues.
