Terbinafine-induced hepatic failure requiring liver transplantation

Liver Transpl. 2007 Jan;13(1):162-4. doi: 10.1002/lt.21034.

Abstract

Drug-induced liver disease accounts for about 50% of acute or subacute liver failure in the United States. United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS) data suggest 8%-20% of liver transplantation in this country per year is for fulminant liver failure due to drugs. Even though the most common medication implicated in acute liver injury is acetaminophen (75%), there are numerous other drugs that are responsible for acute and chronic liver injury. A variety of antifungal medications are known to cause a wide range of liver injury from a mild hepatocellular-cholestatic injury pattern to acute/subacute liver failure. Terbinafine is one of the antifungals that have been associated with such liver injuries. We report a case of terbinafine-induced severe liver failure requiring liver transplantation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acetaminophen / pharmacology
  • Antifungal Agents / adverse effects*
  • Bile Ducts / pathology
  • Cholestasis / etiology
  • Humans
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / pathology
  • Liver Failure, Acute / chemically induced*
  • Liver Transplantation / methods*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Naphthalenes / adverse effects*
  • Terbinafine

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Naphthalenes
  • Acetaminophen
  • Terbinafine