Michael Sisco thought he was taking a harmless amount of energy supplements for a boost to help get through his busy days.
When Sisco recently felt especially run down, he started taking two additional “immunotherapy support” supplements and three to four packets of green tea energy booster supplements, all bought from a retail store.
Sisco’s condition worsened to include jaundice, severe nausea and flu-like symptoms. He found himself in urgent care, then in the Emergency Department at Banner Ocotillo Medical Center in Chandler.
“He’s getting better and should recover completely, but it was serious enough that he could have needed a liver transplant and faced life-threatening issues,” said Dr.
About 15 to 20 percent of cases of drug-induced liver injury could be attributed to herbal and dietary supplements, according to a medical report based on U.S.
“For some reason, similar cases of liver injury seem to be unique to taking green tea extract pills or capsules, and not to drinking green tea,” said pharmacist Bryan Kuhn of Banner’s Poison and Drug Information Center.
This doesn’t mean products with green tea extract are unsafe to take in moderation, but people also shouldn’t assume they’re safe and effective because they contain natural ingredients, Kuhn noted.
Clinical trials have shown there’s a higher risk of drug-induced liver damage associated with green tea extract compared to a placebo, Dr.
“The main thing I’ve been telling people is, don’t use supplements to try to power through when you’re not feeling good,” Sisco said.