Hepatitis na gebruik van een kruidenextract

The popularity of herbal medicine has risen and comes along with hard to recognize adverse effects, while they are considered safe among the general population. In this case we discuss a herb-induced liver injury (HILI) caused by a product named Iberogast. It is a diagnosis of exclusion due to a careful process in which it might be easily overlooked if the use of alternative medicine is not actively questioned. The Roussel-Uclaf-Causality-Assessment-Method-Scale can be used to support causality of a certain product. An effective treatment has yet to be developed. Now it includes the discontinuation of the provoking agents and supportive therapy. Complications can vary from a mild hepatitis to full blown liver failure with need of transplantation. Healthcare workers and patients should be informed and aware of the potential adverse effects of herbs. If it does not help, it still can hurt.

Conflict of interest and financial support: none declared.