Autoimmune hepatitis may be triggered by viral infections, drugs, and rarely by the herb black cohosh, which is widely used to relieve symptoms of menopause.
Autoimmune hepatitis has been associated with viral infections including viral hepatitis and with idiosyncratic drug reactions, including reactions to herbal medicines. The herb black cohosh, which is commonly used to reduce symptoms of menopause, has been reported to rarely trigger autoimmune hepatitis.
Benefits of Black Cohosh
Black cohosh has been reported to improve several menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes, mood disturbances, diaphoresis, palpitations and vaginal dryness. Black cohosh may also rarely cause an allergic reaction evidenced by increased levels of eosinophils that can progress to autoimmune hepatitis.
Black Cohosh and Hepatitis
In a report published in Medscape, a 57 year old woman developed autoimmune hepatitis three weeks after beginning black cohosh. After exhaustive studies to determine the cause of her hepatitis, black cohosh was suspected and discontinued. Within two weeks the woman’s symptoms completely resolved.
In new cases of autoimmune hepatitis, patients should be thoroughly questioned regarding about all medications they may be taking. Other environmental triggers of AIH include: the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and the measles virus; Salmonella and Escherichia coli bacteria; the medications halothane, interferon, minocycline, melatonin, alpha methyldopa, oxyphenistatin, and nitrofurantoin; and the herb Dai-saiko-lo. Interferon therapy used for hepatitis C has occasionally been found to induce latent autoimmune hepatitis.
Resource:
Charlene Laino, Black Cohosh Linked to Autoimmune Hepatitis, Medscape, October, 2003, accessed September 1, 2007.
