Erythromycin-associated cholestatic hepatitis.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the risk of cholestatic hepatitis of uncertain origin in patients who had recently received erythromycin, a drug which is known to cause this disorder.


METHODS
A retrospective cohort study using data automatically recorded on general practitioners' office computers.


METHODS
Some 600 general practices in the United Kingdom.


METHODS
366,064 people who received erythromycin.


METHODS
Clinically documented cholestatic hepatitis of uncertain origin diagnosed 1-45 days after a prescription for erythromycin.


RESULTS
There were 13 cases of cholestatic hepatitis of uncertain origin diagnosed within 45 days of receiving erythromycin which were either characteristic of or consistent with a syndrome previously described as being associated with this drug.


CONCLUSIONS
The risk of cholestatic jaundice associated with erythromycin is estimated to be in the range of 3.6 per 100,000 users (95% confidence interval, 1.9-6.1).
Derby
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Boston Collaborative Drug Surveillance Program, Boston University Medical Center, Lexington, MA 02173-5207.
Jick
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Henry
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Dean
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000209:etiology*; D002648:Child; D002779:Cholestasis / Q000139:chemically induced*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004917:Erythromycin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D004917:Erythromycin