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Black/Blue CohoshLiver DiseaseMenopausePregnancy

The biggest loser in CAM for 2006

JR

Loser: Not only doesn’t it work, but governments all over the world are piling on black cohosh.
Menopause

  • Useless to prevent hot flashes and night sweats associated with menopause.

Pregnancy

  • Caution during pregnancy (particularly during the first trimester where there is concern over its purported labor-inducing effects) and during lactation.

Poor quality control

  • Significant variability in the contents of different brands.

Warnings, warnings, warnings

  • Japan?s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has now issued a warning to Japanese users of black cohosh.
  • The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency of the U.K. issued new labeling regulations with warnings.
  • Australia requires manufacturers to add safety warnings to their labels.
  • European Medicines Agency advised consumers to stop taking black cohosh and consult their doctor if they develop signs and symptoms of liver injury.

12/30/06 22:20 JR

Hi, I’m JR

John Russo, Jr., PharmD, is president of The MedCom Resource, Inc. Previously, he was senior vice president of medical communications at www.Vicus.com, a complementary and alternative medicine website.

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