Vietnam man dies after consuming unregulated online herbal medicine

A 28-year-old man from Son La, Vietnam, has died after suffering severe acute liver failure and widespread brain edema caused by consuming unregulated herbal medicine purchased online.

According to the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases, the patient initially sought medical attention for respiratory symptoms, including fever and chest pain, where doctors suspected pneumonia or a lung tumor and advised hospitalization. The family declined inpatient treatment, opting instead to purchase unknown herbal remedies from the internet.

After two weeks of use, the patient exhibited jaundice and fatigue but continued the treatment. By the time he was admitted to the hospital, he was in a deep coma with dilated pupils and lost light reflexes. Clinical tests revealed critical levels of bilirubin and ammonia, which contributed to hepatic encephalopathy and brain swelling. Despite intensive efforts including blood filtration and plasma exchange, the damage to the liver and brain was irreversible, and the family eventually requested to take the patient home for funeral arrangements.