Warning over turmeric and curcumin supplements after patient dies

The TGA advised patients with existing or prior liver pathologies to avoid the herbal supplements.

The TGA has issued a safety warning over supplements containing turmeric and curcumin, after receiving 18 reports of liver problems linked to the complementary medicines, including one fatality.

Overseas agencies have also reported similar cases of liver injury associated with the supplements, the watchdog said in an alert on Tuesday.

The risk appeared to be higher for products with enhanced absorption or bioavailability, as well as those containing higher doses.

The TGA said nine of the reports it had received up to the end of June “contained enough information to suggest a liver injury that may have been caused by the Curcuma longa (turmeric) or curcumin”.