Severe hepatic side effects of ezetimibe.
OBJECTIVE
Ezetimibe was introduced recently as a new class of cholesterol-lowering drugs. Until now only limited increases of transaminase levels were reported.


METHODS
We studied 2 patients with severe hepatic side effects of ezetimibe in a general community hospital.


RESULTS
Ezetimibe may lead to 2 distinct types of severe hepatic side effects.


CONCLUSIONS
Ezetimibe may rarely cause hepatotoxicity, severe cholestatic hepatitis, or acute autoimmune hepatitis.
Stolk
Mark F J
MF
Department of Gastroenterology, St. Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands. m.stolk@antonius.net
Becx
Marco C J M
MC
Kuypers
Karel C
KC
Seldenrijk
Cees A
CA
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D001384:Azetidines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D000069438:Ezetimibe; D005260:Female; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000188:drug therapy; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000637:Transaminases / Q000097:blood
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D001384:Azetidines; D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D011758:Pyrroles; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D000637:Transaminases; D000069438:Ezetimibe