Anorexia chaparral

Chaparral can be found in health food stores as capsules and tablets and is used as an antioxidant and anti-cancer herbal product. Leaves, stems and bark in bulk are also available for brewing tea. However, this product can cause severe hepatotoxicity. Several reports of chaparral-associated hepatitis have been reported. A 45-year-old woman who took 160 mg of chaparral per day for 10 weeks presented with jaundice, anorexia, fatigue, nausea and vomiting. Liver enzymes and other liver function tests showed abnormally high values (ALT 1611 U L- AST 957 U L, alkaline phosphatase 265 U L, GOT 993 U L and bilirubin... 

In a similar case also included in the Sheikh et al. review, a 45-yr-old woman presented with painless jaundice, anorexia, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and pruritus after consuming 160 mg/d of chaparral for 10 wk (Alderman et al., 1994 Sheikh et al., 1997). Past medical history included alcohol abuse for 4 yr. 

Creosote Bush. A report was found in the literature describing a 45-year-old woman who developed painless jaundice, fatigue, anorexia, and pruritus after taking chaparral tablets, 160 mg/day for around 2 months (Alderman et al. 1994). Complete blood count, platelet count, and clotting times were normal. A 60-year-old woman was hospitalized with a 1-week history of upper quadrant abdominal pain, anorexia, and jaundice (Gordon et al. 1995). The patient had been taking 1-2 capsules of chaparral daily for the past 10 months. The patient developed "flulike syndrome" and increased her chaparral intake to 6 capsules a day 3 weeks before admission. The patient s prothrombin time increased from 15.9 to 28 seconds (normal values 10.9-13.7 seconds). 

Creosote Bush. No adverse renal effects were noted in a 45-year-old woman who took 160 mg/kg/day chaparral for approximately 2 months (Alderman et al. 1994). A 60-year-old woman was hospitalized with a 1-week history of upper quadrant abdominal pain, anorexia, and jaundice (Gordon et al. 1995). 

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