title: Donepezil-related toxic hepatitis.
abstract: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia. It is characterized by the presence of senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain, and impairment of the central cholinergic system, which contribute to memory loss and cognitive dysfunction. Cholinesterase inhibitors prevent the hydrolysis of acetylcholine and are currently approved for the symptomatic treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Donepezil, a piperidine-based, reversible and specific inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase, has been demonstrated to be clinically effective in the treatment of patients with mild to moderate AD. To date, clinical trials have not reported an association between treatment with donepezil and hepatotoxicity. We describe a case of toxic hepatitis, documented by liver biopsy, in a patient treated with donepezil.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, University of Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: R I R
authors.initials: RI
authors.lastname: Dierckx
authors.forename: M F J
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Vandewoude
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000188:drug therapy; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077265:Donepezil; D006801:Humans; D007189:Indans / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D010880:Piperidines / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D007189:Indans; D010880:Piperidines; D000077265:Donepezil