Drug-induced acute liver disease

ABSTRACT

Fifty three patients with drug-induced acute liver disease are reported. There were 35 females and 18 males with a mean age of 41 years. All but one patient had jaundice or hyperbilirubinaemia and 51 had abnormal liver enzymes. Histologically 38 patients (72 percent) had cholestatic injury while 15 had cytotoxic parenchymal damage. Methyldopa, chlorpropamide, chlorpromazine, halothane and the contraceptive pill accounted for 60 percent of cases. Fifty one patients recovered after drug withdrawal while 2 died of hepatic failure. Drug-induced liver injury must be considered in patients presenting with evidence of hepatic disease as the majority will recover on withdrawal. (Summary)