Patient suffers severe liver damage from unidentified herbal medicine

A 45-year-old patient in Phu Tho, Vietnam, experienced a severe acute exacerbation of chronic liver failure and Child-Pugh C cirrhosis after consuming unidentified herbal medicine. The patient, who has a history of cirrhosis and type 2 diabetes, presented with progressive jaundice, fatigue, and dark urine.

Clinical tests revealed total bilirubin levels at 712.4 µmol/L, approximately 42 times the normal limit, and liver enzymes increased more than sixfold. Following nine days of treatment, the patient's jaundice subsided and liver function indicators returned to normal levels after one month. Medical professionals warned that herbal products are not inherently safe and cautioned against using unverified traditional medicines, especially when managing chronic conditions.