title: Severe liver enzyme elevations after three years of olanzapine treatment: a case report and review of olanzapine associated hepatotoxicity.
abstract: Atypical antipsychotics commonly cause isolated asymptomatic increase in the aminotransferase levels. Among these atypical antipsychotics, mostly transient, asymptomatic increase in hepatic enzymes has been reported with olanzapine, however olanzapine rarely may induce a clinical and/or biological hepatic toxicity. The pathogenesis of olanzapine-associated hepatotoxicity is not well known and is mostly a transient phenomenon. However, substantial and lasting changes may occur and result in symptomatic hepatitis. In the following case report, we report on a 44-year-old female patient diagnosed as Bipolar Disorder Type I, whose liver enzyme levels increased ten fold of normal ranges during the third year of the olanzapine treatment and returned to the normal levels within three weeks after olanzapine discontinuation. Although significant liver enzyme elevations are uncommon during olanzapine treatment, based on reports of serious hepatotoxicity, controlled and longitudinal research are needed to learn side effects of this drug on liver. Clinicians should be aware of possible hepatotoxic effects of atypical antipsychotics and should monitor the liver enzyme levels whenever they feel necessary.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, International Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Tuba
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ozcanli
authors.forename: Ayten
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Erdogan
authors.forename: Samuray
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ozdemir
authors.forename: Bariş
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Onen
authors.forename: Mine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ozmen
authors.forename: Kerem
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Doksat
authors.forename: Abdullah
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sonsuz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000201:enzymology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology*; D000077152:Olanzapine; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D000077152:Olanzapine