Fulminant liver failure and pancreatitis associated with the use of sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim

Am J Gastroenterol. 1989 Dec;84(12):1577-9.

Abstract

We report the case of a 26-yr-old patient with fulminant liver failure and acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis secondary to the use of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim DS). Our patient presented with skin rash and decreased C3 and C4 levels, which we believed was due to a hypersensitivity reaction secondary to the sulfonamide component (sulfamethoxazole). To our knowledge, this is the first case reported in which sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim has been implicated as a cause of fulminant liver failure and acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis simultaneously, and emphasizes the need of discontinuing this medication as soon as there is evidence of liver and pancreatic dysfunction.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury*
  • Complement C3 / metabolism
  • Complement C4 / metabolism
  • Drug Hypersensitivity / complications
  • Drug Hypersensitivity / metabolism
  • Erythema / chemically induced
  • Hemorrhage / chemically induced
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pancreatitis / chemically induced*
  • Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Complement C3
  • Complement C4
  • Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination