Drug & supplement interaction

Kava + Daunorubicin, Cytarabine

Daunorubicin, Cytarabine brand name: Vyxeos.

Moderate Interaction
Medically reviewed by · Updated September 2026
The bottom line Moderate

Kava has a moderate interaction with Daunorubicin, Cytarabine. Theoretically, using kava with hepatotoxic drugs might increase the risk of liver damage.

Read the full interaction report
SeverityModerate
LikelihoodPossible
EvidenceD
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
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Interaction report

Kava and Daunorubicin, Cytarabine

Here is the interaction we found between these two, with the evidence behind it.

Moderate

HEPATOTOXIC DRUGS

Why this applies to Daunorubicin, Cytarabine

Daunorubicin, Cytarabine falls under HEPATOTOXIC DRUGS — the group Kava interacts with.

Theoretically, using kava with hepatotoxic drugs might increase the risk of liver damage.
Kava has been linked with over 100 cases of hepatotoxicity. Most cases occur with excessive and prolonged use. There is some concern that kava can adversely affect the liver, especially when used in combination with hepatotoxic drugs.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Here's the simple version: both kava and Vyxeos (the daunorubicin plus cytarabine combo) can be tough on your liver. Vyxeos is a strong chemotherapy used for AML, and your care team already watches your liver enzymes closely during treatment. Kava has been tied to rare but serious liver injury, mostly with heavy or long-term use. Stacking the two could, in theory, add extra strain on the liver.

To be honest, this concern is based on anecdotal reports rather than solid studies, so we can't say it definitely happens. Still, while you're going through chemo this powerful, I'd skip kava unless your oncologist or pharmacist specifically okays it. Please check with them before adding any supplement.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Escher M, Desmeules J, Giostra E, Mentha G. Hepatitis associated with Kava, a herbal remedy for anxiety. BMJ 2001;322:139.
  2. Russmann S, Lauterburg BH, Helbling A. Kava hepatotoxicity [letter]. Ann Intern Med 2001;135:68-9.
  3. Liver Toxicity With Kava. Pharmacist's Letter/Prescriber's Letter. January 2001.
  4. Consultation letter MLX 286: Proposals to prohibit the herbal ingredient Kava-Kava (Piper methysticum) in unlicensed medicines. Medicines Control Agency, United Kingdom, July 19, 2002.
  5. Li XZ, Ramzan I. Role of ethanol in kava hepatotoxicity. Phytother Res 2010;24:475-80. PubMed
  6. Chanwai, L. G. Kava toxicity. Emergency Medicine 2002;12:142-145.

What These Ratings Mean

Every interaction above is graded three ways — here’s the key to each label.

Severity how clinically significant the interaction is
Major

Clinically significant. Avoid the combination, or use only under close professional supervision.

Moderate

Usually worth avoiding or managing — may need monitoring, a dose change, or timing apart.

Minor

Generally not serious. Be aware of it and mention it to your pharmacist.

Likelihood how strong the evidence is that the interaction actually happens in people
  • LikelyWell-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction.
  • ProbableInteraction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports.
  • PossibleInteraction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.
  • UnlikelyInteraction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.
Evidence the quality of the studies behind the rating (graded A–D)
  • AHigh-quality meta-analysis (quantitative systematic review).
  • BCase-control study.
  • CConsensus.
  • DAnecdotal evidence.

These ratings are for information only. Never start, stop, or otherwise change your therapy before speaking with your provider.

Keep it in perspective

Kava Also Interacts With Other Medications

Kava has 248 major, 576 moderate, 341 minor known drug interactions in our database — the Daunorubicin, Cytarabine one above is one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Major 248 Moderate 576 Minor 341 No known interaction 1,665 (incl. Daunorubicin, Cytarabine)
Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Kava

Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Kava. Pick one to open its full report.

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Daunorubicin, Cytarabine

This page covers Kava only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Daunorubicin, Cytarabine page lists 50 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Beer (major), Siberian Cocklebur (major), Wine (major), Acerola (moderate) and Alpha-lipoic Acid (moderate).

By severity: 3 major · 47 moderate.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Daunorubicin, Cytarabine page

“Vyxeos pairs daunorubicin and cytarabine to treat acute myeloid leukemia, and its supplement list is one to handle with genuine care. Most of it points at the liver: 38 of the 50 flagged ingredients can stress an organ already processing intensive chemotherapy, and the three rated major all belong to that group.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Daunorubicin, Cytarabine interaction page

One more smart check

Taking Kava as Part of a Dietary Supplement Product? Check It for Interactions

We hold 403 real supplement products containing Kava, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Kava. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Daunorubicin, Cytarabine too, on top of Kava — and those would not show on this page. Find your product and we’ll check every ingredient on its label:

How much people look this up

Where Kava and Daunorubicin, Cytarabine Sit Against Everything Else

Out of every supplement and medication people look up on HelloPharmacist, here is where these two land this week — and which way each has been moving.

Supplement Kava
Top 25%

#257 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today
Medication Daunorubicin, Cytarabine
Top 25%

#331 of 2,830 medications looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today

Position among everything looked up on this site, not a measure of how commonly either one is used or how important it is. A supplement can climb this list because of a news story. It counts every request to the page, automated ones included, and nothing here identifies anyone.

Supplement

About Kava

What is Kava?

Kava
  • Anxiety and stress
  • Restlessness
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Relaxation in social or cultural settings
  • Menopausal symptoms

Kava is a Pacific Island plant traditionally used to promote relaxation and ease anxiety, and some studies suggest it may help mild anxiety. However, kava has been linked to rare but serious liver damage, so it should be used with caution, avoided by people with liver problems, and only used after talking with your pharmacist or doctor.

Read the full Kava monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Daunorubicin and Cytarabine Lipid Complex Injection

What Is Daunorubicin and Cytarabine Lipid Complex Injection Used For?

Brand name: Vyxeos

  • Daunorubicin and cytarabine lipid complex is used to treat certain types of acute myeloid leukemia (AML; a type of cancer of the white blood cells) in adults and children 1 year of age and older. Daunorubicin is in a class of medications called anthracyclines. Cytarabine is in a class of medications called antimetabolites. Daunorubicin and cytarabine lipid complex slows or stops the growth of cancer cells in your body.

See full Daunorubicin and Cytarabine Lipid Complex Injection drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Kava

Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Kava — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.

248Major
576Moderate
341Minor
1,664No known interaction
248 Major 576 Moderate 341 Minor 1,664 No interaction
Major

248 interactions

Showing 60 of 248 major interactions — see all 248 on the Kava page.

Moderate

576 interactions

Showing 60 of 576 moderate interactions — see all 576 on the Kava page.

Minor

341 interactions

Showing 60 of 341 minor interactions — see all 341 on the Kava page.

No interaction 1,664 drugs checked — show the list

We also checked Kava against these medications and found no known interaction in our sources. Open any page to confirm.

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 1,664 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Kava list.

See the full Kava interactions page
See every supplement checked against Daunorubicin, Cytarabine, ranked by severity
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Interaction details are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database. The medication overview comes from MedlinePlus.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

Keep exploring
Kava monograph › Uses, safety, and every drug interaction in one place Daunorubicin, Cytarabine supplement interactions › Every supplement checked against Daunorubicin, Cytarabine, ranked by severity Daunorubicin and Cytarabine Lipid Complex Injection drug information › The full plain-English guide to this medication Supplement interaction checker › Check any supplement or product against your medications Browse medications A–Z › Every drug we've checked against herbs & supplements Ask a pharmacist › Free, personal answer from our licensed team
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Kava and Daunorubicin, Cytarabine Together: Common Questions

Can you take Kava with Daunorubicin, Cytarabine?
There is a moderate interaction, so it may be acceptable with monitoring or timing changes — but check with your pharmacist first. Read the full details on this page and confirm with your pharmacist before combining them.
How serious is the Kava and Daunorubicin, Cytarabine interaction?
We rate it Moderate. This combination may require monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one. Consult your pharmacist before using them together.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Still Have a Question About Daunorubicin, Cytarabine and Kava?

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This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.