Bradycardia in a patient taking black cohosh.
Cimicifuga racemosa, better known as black cohosh, has been widely used in Western cultures as a herbal treatment for relieving symptoms of menopause. It has previously been linked to cases of liver toxicity. We report a case of reversible complete heart block in a woman who had recently begun taking a herbal supplement containing black cohosh. We review the known side effect profile of black cohosh and its relationship to our case.
McKenzie
Scott C
SC
Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia. scott_c_mckenzie@health.qld.gov.au
Rahman
Atifur
A
D001919:Bradycardia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D031885:Cimicifuga / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006327:Heart Block / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000009:adverse effects*; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000009:adverse effects*
D010936:Plant Extracts; D028321:Plant Preparations; C073419:Remifemin