Is Combining Kava and Alcohol Dangerous for your Liver?

Kava kava is a substance used in alternative medicine as a natural sedative with calming, mood-boosting properties. It has also been studied for its effects on anxiety, insomnia and more.

However, kava has been connected to certain serious side effects, including liver damage. The risk of serious side effects may increase when kava kava and alcohol are consumed at the same time.

Kava kava, which may also be referred to simply as “kava” is a supplement made from the dried roots of the Piper methysticum shrub. This substance may be consumed recreationally in the form of a beverage, or it may be used to treat certain ailments.

In some cultures, Kava use has a role similar to that of alcohol use. It is used for ceremonial purposes in Fiji. Some people also describe the experience of consuming large amounts of Kava as producing a “buzz” or “high” similar to alcohol.

Kava

Herbal Supplement

Anxiety

Mood

Sleep

How It Works:

• Reduces feeling of anxiety & stress
• Improves feeling of wellbeing
• Shown to improve sleep & insomnia

Dosage:

Between 100 - 300 mg per day

Safety:

Rated Possibly Safe

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Kava Uses and Dangers

In traditional folk medicine, some of the ailments kava herb has been used to treat include depression, insomnia, psychosis, anxiety, urinary tract infections, headaches and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Some people also use kava topically to treat wounds, rashes and other skin conditions.

Kava affects the human body in several different ways. For example, research has shown that this substance acts as an anti-inflammatory, an analgesic and a tonic against anxiety. This substance has also been shown to protect neurons from degeneration and injury.

Unfortunately, not all of the effects of kava are positive. Research indicates that kava may be dangerous, especially when consumed in large amounts or with certain other substances.

Some of the mild side effects of kava may include allergic rashes, drowsiness, gastrointestinal problems and mild headache. More serious side effects of kava include hepatitis, cirrhosis of the liver and liver failure.

In fact, kava has been implicated in more than 100 case reports of liver disease, and it has also been connected to several liver-related fatalities. For some patients, the damage to the liver has been so severe that a liver transplant was necessary after less than three months of kava use.

As a result of all of these issues, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued multiple warnings about the risks associated with this drug.

Can you Combine Kava and Drinking Alcohol?

Over the past two decades, the use of kava in combination with alcohol for recreational purposes spread across Australia. However, the research indicates that this is not necessarily a safe mixture.

When you use kava and alcohol at the same time, the dangerous effects of kava may be more pronounced. Some of the possible effects of kava and alcohol together include extreme drowsiness, slower reflexes and other symptoms of central nervous system depression.

In addition, studies have also indicated that using kava and alcohol at the same time may increase the risk of damage to the liver.

Alcohol also has a negative effect on the liver – especially when consumed in large amounts. Consuming both alcohol and kava could exacerbate harmful effects on the liver, thereby increasing the risk of more serious side effects.

Is Kava an Alcohol Substitute?

Kava is not an alcoholic beverage. Nonetheless, people who have consumed kava in beverage form report that the drug has a mild but pleasant effect on the consumer’s mental state that is similar to that of alcohol.

As a result, some people have used kava for alcohol withdrawal or as an aid in overcoming alcohol addiction.

Unlike alcohol, kava is unlikely to cause the drinker to become aggressive, and consuming kava will not typically result in a hangover. Studies have also shown that kava is less likely to significantly impair reflexes and cognitive skills than alcohol is.

Both kava and alcohol have the potential to cause liver damage, although more study is needed to determine which of these substances is more dangerous to this organ.

Some studies have indicated that the liver damage caused by kava may be reversible when the use of kava is discontinued. In addition, some studies have also shown that using kava may be an effective strategy for preventing and/or resolving alcohol dependence.

However, use of Kava should not be thought of as a safe alternative to alcohol consumption. Both are likely to cause harmful effects to your health and neither should be used before driving or operating heavy machinery.

Using Kava Safely

The FDA warns that kava poses risks to anyone who consumes it. However, research indicates that these risks are more severe when kava is consumed by someone who is a “poor metabolizer” of drugs, has certain conditions, consumes kava and alcohol and/or consumes kava in combination with certain other substances.

Thus, it is important to use caution when consuming kava in order to reduce the risk of problems as much as possible.

Because of the interaction between kava extract and alcohol, using these two substances together is not recommended for anyone. People consuming kava should also avoid other drugs that are known to cause CNS depression, such as benzodiazepines and barbiturates.

Likewise, consumers of kava should not combine the substance with Zofran, warfarin, tamoxifen, ibuprofen, Valium, omeprazole, Xanax, p-glycoprotein substrates or any drug or supplement known to be toxic to the liver.

You should not use kava for any purpose, including recovery from alcohol addiction, if you have a history of liver problems. Kava is also contraindicated for people with Parkinson’s disease and for some individuals suffering from depression.

As with any other supplement or alternative medication, you should always talk to a doctor before you begin consuming kava for any reason – including alcohol withdrawal. Your doctor can review your current medications and health conditions to help you determine whether this substance is safe for you.

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