To the Editor: We wish to comment on the article by Whiting and colleagues1 on the proposed causal relationship between herbal remedies and severe acute hepatitis.
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Correspondence:
- 1. Whiting PW, Clouston A, Kerlin P. Black cohosh and other herbal remedies associated with acute hepatitis. Med J Aust 2002; 177: 440-443. <eMJA full text>
- 2. Ernst E, Pittler MH. Risks associated with herbal medicinal products. Wien Med Wochenschr 2002; 152: 183-189.
- 3. Fugh-Berman A. Herb–drug interactions. Lancet 2000; 355: 134-138.
- 4. Corrigan D. Adverse reports — some first principles. Eur PhytoJournal 2001; 1. Available at: http://www.escop.com/epj2pdfs/corrigan.pdf (accessed Mar 2003)
- 5. Nortier JL, Martinez MC, Schmeiser HH, et al. Urothelial carcinoma associated with the use of a Chinese herb (Aristolochia fangchi). N Engl J Med 2000; 342: 1686-1692.
- 6. Walker AM, Cavanaugh RJ. The occurrence of new hepatic disorders in a defined population. Post Marketing Surveillance 1992; 1: 107-111.
- 7. Fasel-Felley J, Peitrequin R, Frei PC. Absence of circulating HBsAg in acute hepatitis B. Infection 1984; 12: 202-204.
- 8. Lieberman S. A review of the effectiveness of Cimicifuga racemosa (black cohosh) for the symptoms of menopause. J Womens Health 1998; 7: 525-529.
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