Cholestatic hepatitis related to use of irbesartan: a case report and a literature review of angiotensin II antagonist-associated hepatotoxicity.
We report a patient who developed cholestatic hepatitis shortly after starting therapy with irbesartan, one of the new, recently marketed angiotensin II antagonists. Serological studies and ultrasonography ruled out viral hepatitis and extrahepatic obstructive jaundice, respectively. A percutaneous liver biopsy showed a portal inflammatory infiltrate with eosinophils and marked cholestatic features in the perivenular area. Irbesartan was discontinued and the patient's jaundice resolved slowly over a period of several weeks, although mild biochemical cholestasis lasted for more than 1 year. There have been seven prior cases of angiotensin II antagonist-induced hepatotoxicity reported in the literature. A class warning for hepatotoxicity for these compounds should probably be considered.
Andrade
Raúl J
RJ
Liver Unit, Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital Virgin de la Victoria, School of Medicine, Malaga, Spain. andrade@uma.es
Lucena
M Isabel
MI
Fernández
M Carmen
MC
Vega
Jose L
JL
García-Cortés
Miren
M
Casado
Marta
M
Guerrero-Sanchez
Encarna
E
Pulido-Fernandez
Francisco
F
D000208:Acute Disease; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D002779:Cholestasis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D000077405:Irbesartan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013777:Tetrazoles / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D013777:Tetrazoles; D000077405:Irbesartan