A recent study has shed light on what might have caused acute liver injury in four patients, who were supposedly taking part in a study. It is believed that Flavocoxid, which is believed to be a remedy used to treat osteoarthritis, might have a key role behind the mess. It was also told that patients, who were of the age between 57-68 years, were part of the Drug-Induced Liver Injury Network Prospective Study, which is aimed at tracking down the results of liver damage.

However, the patients managed to recover fully after they stopped taking the remedy. It has also been said that Flavocoxids are not required to be approved from the US Food and Drug administration and are readily available. It was found that patients showed symptoms like jaundice, pruritus and abdominal pain etc, which made it all the more clear that flavocoxid is responsible for the concern. It was also claimed that epicatechin which is present in the remedy must be behind the toxicity.

“Given the widespread use and potential harm of medical food and food supplements, the policy of marketing these products in the absence of clinical evidence may need to be reconsidered”, said the report published in Annals of Internal Medicine.