title: Nimesulide induced leukocytoclastic vasculitis and hepatitis: a case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nimesulide is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug with antipyretic and analgesic properties, which is still used in many countries despite its known hepatotoxicity. Along with hepatotoxicity it has also been associated with several other Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) including leukocytoclastic vasculitis (LCV).
  
  
  METHODS
  A 38 year-old female presented with history of acute onset fever for which she took tablet nimesulide and paracetamol combination (100 mg Nimesulide + 500 mg paracetamol tablet), 1 tab three times daily for 4 days, following which she developed rash all over the body. She also had clinical and biochemical evidence of acute hepatitis. Histopathological examination of the skin rash documented the presence of LCV. She was managed symptomatically with anti-inflammatory and supportive therapy and was not further exposed to nimesulide.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our case demonstrates occurrence of acute hepatitis and LCV associated with nimesulide intake. The case meets the defining criteria for the diagnosis of LCV preceded by history of nimesulide intake. There was also clinical and biochemical evidence of hepato-cellular damage which supports the concurrent development of hepatitis along with the development of LCV following nimesulide use. To the best of our knowledge there is no previous published report of LCV and hepatitis occurring concurrently in the same patient following nimesulide intake. Nimesulide should be added to the list of agents associated with these serious adverse drug reactions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nimesulide has been a contentious drug over many years. Under such evidence of serious ADRs the scientific community should consider ensuring strict pharmacovigilance with respect to its use especially in the developing countries where such monitoring systems are inadequate.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Medicine, North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS) Mawdiangdiang, Shillong, 793018 Meghalaya India.
authors.forename: Prasanta Kumar
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-1990-0247
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Bhattacharya
authors.affiliation: Department of General Medicine, North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS) Mawdiangdiang, Shillong, 793018 Meghalaya India.
authors.forename: Bhupen
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Barman
authors.affiliation: Department of General Medicine, North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS) Mawdiangdiang, Shillong, 793018 Meghalaya India.
authors.forename: Aakash
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Roy
authors.affiliation: Department of General Medicine, North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS) Mawdiangdiang, Shillong, 793018 Meghalaya India.
authors.forename: Md
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jamil
authors.affiliation: Department of General Medicine, North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS) Mawdiangdiang, Shillong, 793018 Meghalaya India.
authors.forename: Monaliza
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lyngdoh
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS) Mawdiangdiang, Shillong, 793018 Meghalaya India.
authors.forename: Jaya
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mishra
keywords: Adverse drug reaction; Hepatitis; Leukocytoclastic vasculitis; Nimesulide; Pharmacovigilence