Severe Liver Injury Associated with the Use of Unregulated Herbal Products: A Case Report and Literature Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51987/Rev.Hosp.Ital.B.Aires.v46i3.1333Keywords:
enfermedad hepática inducida por sustancias y drogas, preparaciones de plantas, suplementos dietéticos, farmacovigilanciaAbstract
The use of phytotherapeutic products and herbal supplements has increased, partly due to the perception that “natural” products are risk-free. However, their consumption may cause herb-induced liver injury (HILI). We present the case of an 85-year-old man with right upper quadrant pain, jaundice, and a hepatocellular pattern of liver injury (R = 11.3). He had consumed six phytotherapeutic products for six months, including Redumex, whose registration could not be verified, and Vitacerebrina Francesa, batch VTMA513, identified by INVIMA as a fraudulent product with a false marketing authorization. Causality was classified as possible using RUCAM (5 points), and severity as DILIN grade 4. After discontinuation of the products, the patient showed clinical improvement and a progressive decrease in aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase levels, allowing hospital discharge. This case highlights the need to investigate herbal product use and strengthen pharmacovigilance and regulatory oversight.
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Copyright (c) 2026 María A. De la Rosa, José Sanabria Vanegas, Gabriela Beltrán
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