title: Altered mental status and ataxia secondary to acute Kava ingestion.
abstract: Kava has traditionally been used for a variety of purposes in the tropical islands of Polynesia but is becoming more frequently available in the United States health supplement market due to its calming effects in patients with anxiety. The side effect profile is poorly known but has recently gained the attention of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Although hepatitis and liver failure have been described with chronic ingestion, the effects of acute overdose are poorly described. We present a case of acute Kava overdose resulting in altered mental status and ataxia similar to that seen with ethanol intoxication.
authors.affiliation: Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of California, Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Perez
authors.forename: James F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Holmes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001259:Ataxia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D001628:Beverages / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003244:Consciousness Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004326:Drinking; D062787:Drug Overdose; D006801:Humans; D020901:Kava / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D014717:Vertigo / Q000139:chemically induced