Disulfiram hepatotoxicity: a consideration of its mechanism and clinical spectrum.
Disulfiram-induced hepatotoxicity is a recognised entity despite the difficulty in determining its contribution to the damage when alcoholism itself is a frequent cause of liver disease. Less well characterised is the mechanism of disulfiram-induced hepatotoxicity and the high fatality rate associated with this entity. The clinical spectrum of the disease is reviewed and experimental data suggesting the mechanism of toxicity are presented. Failure to recognise this problem and to terminate therapy as soon as possible may result in death due to massive hepatic necrosis.
Berlin
R G
RG
Merck Sharp & Dohme Research Laboratories, Division of Gastroenterology, Temple University School of Medicine, West Point, PA 19486.
D000437:Alcoholism / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D000818:Animals; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000209:etiology*; D004221:Disulfiram / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans
D004221:Disulfiram