title: Ganciclovir hepatotoxicity.
abstract: A 33-year-old male with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome received ganciclovir for presumed cytomegalovirus retinitis. Although results of baseline liver function tests were abnormal, marked elevations of transaminases and alkaline phosphatase occurred when the drug was first instituted, as well as after rechallenge. These elevated laboratory values declined on each occasion that the drug was withdrawn. As no other toxic or infectious insults could clearly be incriminated in these acute, self-limited episodes of hepatic function abnormalities, ganciclovir was most likely responsible for the toxicity observed in this patient.
authors.affiliation: Northeastern University College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: B F
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: Shea
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hoffman
authors.forename: G P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Sesin
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Hammer
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy; D000212:Acyclovir / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000209:etiology*; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D015774:Ganciclovir; D006801:Humans; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D015774:Ganciclovir; D000212:Acyclovir