fallinguphill Posted February 14, 2014 Share Posted February 14, 2014 I didn't know whether to post this in the anti depressant section or Alternative section, since it has to do with both, so I basically played eenie meenie miney moe to make my choice... If it is in the wrong place, I apologize. Anyways, I bought some Kava tea tonight, but before I try it, I was wondering if anyone knows if it is safe to use with prozac? Ive done a lot of research on it, including reading many reports of possible liver problems (which I am not concerned about since the tea is made from Kava root, and that apparently makes a huge difference health wise), and I know I cant take it on days I take my Ativan, but I have found nothing about combining it with SSRIs, so is anyone here use any form of Kava with their anti depressant, ir know any information about mixing the two. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stickler Posted February 14, 2014 Share Posted February 14, 2014 (edited) What little I know about kava...the liver issues come into play if there happens to be any other part of the plant included in the ground-up root mixture, as only the root is safe for human consumption. Unscrupulous suppliers may include non-root items in order to pad the weight. How can you tell if you have a contaminated batch? I've got no freaking idea. After consumption, you could probably tell by having a liver function test done, as you will have p!ssed your liver off and therefore have elevated liver enzymes. Note, all that was from reading-up I did a few years back, so things may have changed. Because I'm me, of course, I have tried kava despite knowing the above... I usually mixed about a tablespoon of powdered root into my coffee, and found this to be tasty. It mellowed me out decently, but not in any spectacular way...I get more mileage out of my buspirone. I think the SSRI at the time was zoloft though, not prozac. But I think the major worry with kava is as above-the potential for liver damage. That combined with the cost and the relative mildness of the mellowing-out makes me not terrifically interested in making it a regular thing. Edited to add: http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/kava-kava Reports in the United States and Europe have linked kava with severe liver problems. Kava containing products have been associated with at least 25 reports of liver related injuries (including hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver failure, and death). In one case report, a 50 year old man developed hepatitis after taking 3 - 4 kava extracts daily for 2 months. His condition quickly deteriorated, and he needed a liver transplant. Edited February 14, 2014 by Stickler Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Velvet Elvis Posted February 14, 2014 Share Posted February 14, 2014 Kava isn't safe, period. It will destroy your liver. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Indigo 'n dye Posted February 14, 2014 Share Posted February 14, 2014 Kava isn't safe, period. It will destroy your liver. That is certainly my understand. The effects are cumulative. Its sale as a supplement has been banned in several European countries. Why take the chance? Although, I know that at least a few people like to play Russian roulette too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stickler Posted February 15, 2014 Share Posted February 15, 2014 Should note: https://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/valerian Valerian may taste like someone boiled an old sweat sock (and is therefore usually taken in capsule form) but it appears to be a safer herb to use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reverse The Polarity Posted February 15, 2014 Share Posted February 15, 2014 Kava isn't safe, period. It will destroy your liver. Not necessarily, it really depends on how much you drink, the strength and whether you combine it with other substances. Taken responsibly, it's a safe drink. I would not take it with any other substance that also affects the liver though, out of caution. Also, the strength of the kava depends on where it is sourced. The kava I tried when I was in Vanuatu was stronger than the kava I tried in Fiji, for instance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pamito Posted February 15, 2014 Share Posted February 15, 2014 I had it in the past. I didn't know it was dangerous at all. I won't take the risk again. It felt the same as having a benzodiazepine. benzodiazepines are safer, if taken responsibly, IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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