Severe acute hepatitis related to hydroxychloroquine in a woman with mixed connective tissue disease.
Antimalarial drugs are used for the control of mild manifestations of autoimmune diseases due to their low toxicity. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), a alpha-hydroxylated derivative of chloroquine, is usually preferred because of its higher tolerability. Mild and unspecific gastrointestinal symptoms are the main secondary effects related to HCQ use. Less than 1% of subjects show liver enzyme increase, although the percentage can be as high as 50% in subjects with chronic liver disease. A woman with mixed connective tissue disease who developed a reversible acute hepatitis shortly after the initiation of low-dose HCQ is presented. Two previous cases of patients with acute liver failure have previously been published. All three cases have been reported in the absence of previous liver disease. It seems to be a dose-dependent, idiosyncratic, and molecule-specific toxic effect and must be considered, taking into account the potential bad prognosis.
Giner Galvañ
Vicente
V
Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Clínico Universitario, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain. giner_vicgal@gva.es
Oltra
María Rosa
MR
Rueda
Diego
D
Esteban
María José
MJ
Redón
Josep
J
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000209:etiology*; D002738:Chloroquine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006886:Hydroxychloroquine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008947:Mixed Connective Tissue Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D006886:Hydroxychloroquine; D002738:Chloroquine