Life-threatening parkinsonism induced by kava-kava.
We present a 45-year-old female with severe parkinsonism induced by kava-kava. The patient, who had a family history of essential tremor, developed severe and persistent parkinsonism after days of treatment with kava extract for anxiety. The symptoms improved with anticholinergics. Kava derivatives could produce severe parkinsonism in individuals with genetic susceptibility.
Meseguer
Elena
E
Servicio de Neurología, Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain.
Taboada
Rocio
R
Sánchez
Vicenta
V
Mena
María Angeles
MA
Campos
Victor
V
García De Yébenes
Justo
J
D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002230:Carbidopa / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020901:Kava / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007980:Levodopa / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D020734:Parkinsonian Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy; D014202:Tremor / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D007980:Levodopa; D002230:Carbidopa