Labetalol-induced hepatitis in a patient with chronic hepatitis B infection.
Drug-induced hepatotoxicity is an important cause of hepatocellular injury. Hepatic necrosis may range from asymptomatic elevations in transaminases to fulminant hepatic failure and death. A 50-year-old Asian man developed moderate elevations of hepatic transaminases after commencing labetalol therapy for a hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage. Extensive evaluation revealed evidence of chronic hepatitis B infection, of which the patient was previously not aware. Hepatic transaminases normalized after discontinuation of labetalol.
Marinella
Mark A
MA
Wright State University School of Medicine, 33 West Rahn Road #201, Dayton, OH 45429, USA. Mmarinella@pol.net
D018674:Adrenergic Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000209:etiology*; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D007741:Labetalol / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D018674:Adrenergic Antagonists; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D007741:Labetalol