The effectiveness and safety of Kava Kava for treating anxiety symptoms: A systematic review and analysis of randomized clinical trials.

Author information

1: Allied Health Sciences, Grand Valley State University, 515 Michigan St NE - Suite 200, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, USA; College of Health Professions, Central Michigan University, Health Professions Building 1222, Mount Pleasant, MI, 48859, USA. Electronic address: smith72k@cmich.edu.
2: Allied Health Sciences, Grand Valley State University, 515 Michigan St NE - Suite 200, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, USA.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

To determine if Kava Kava is an effective treatment for combating symptoms of anxiety despite warnings of hepatotoxicity from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

METHODS:

Databases PubMed, CINAHL, and PsycINFO were utilized to obtain clinical trials on Kava Kava and its effects on anxiety. A total of 11 articles met inclusion/exclusion criteria: 2 for Kava Kava vs. another anti-anxiety medication, 2 detailing additional adverse events, and 7 for Kava Kava vs. placebo. Mantel-Haenszel fixed-effects model was used to analyze the data, with responder rates being pooled to compute weighted risk ratios.

RESULTS:

Kava Kava was shown to be more effective than placebo in 3 of the 7 trials. A final risk ratio of 1.50 (95% CI: 1.12, 2.01) from responder rates was calculated in favor of the intervention from 5 clinical trials (n = 330). Adverse events were shown to be the same as placebo (P = 0.574), and laboratory values analyzing hepatotoxicity were no different when compared to baseline except in two studies.

CONCLUSIONS:

Kava Kava appears to be a short-term treatment for anxiety, but not a replacement for prolonged anti-anxiety use. Although not witnessed in this review, liver toxicity is especially possible if taken longer than 8 weeks.

PMID:: 30396607
DOI:: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2018.09.003

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Wednesday 9 January 2019