title: Liver damage in long-term anticonvulsant therapy: a serological and histological study.
abstract: The prevalence of liver damage in patients receiving long-term anticonvulsant therapy was determined, using a new marker of liver disease, the serum F protein concentration. Abnormal serum F protein concentrations were detected in 50 per cent of 34 patients receiving anticonvulsant therapy. A retrospective analysis of post-mortem liver samples showed common histological abnormalities in three out of seven patients who had died whilst receiving anticonvulsant therapy. These changes were not seen in control patients. We suggest that chronic anticonvulsant therapy may cause significant hepatocellular damage.
authors.affiliation: St Charles' Hospital, London.
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Foster
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Goldin
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Freeth
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nieman
authors.forename: D B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Oliveira
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000009:adverse effects; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007519:Isoantigens / Q000032:analysis; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010634:Phenobarbital / Q000009:adverse effects; D010672:Phenytoin / Q000009:adverse effects; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D004338:Drug Combinations; D007519:Isoantigens; C030497:liver specific F antigen; D002220:Carbamazepine; D014635:Valproic Acid; D010672:Phenytoin; D010634:Phenobarbital