Objective: To report a case of probable ticlopidine-induced cholestatic hepatitis.
Case summary: A 76-year-old man with no known history of liver disease developed painless jaundice approximately 3 weeks after starting ticlopidine 250 mg bid. After ticlopidine was discontinued, the jaundice resolved and serum liver enzyme concentrations returned toward normal. A diagnosis of probable ticlopidine-induced cholestatic hepatitis was made. The patient was not rechallenged with ticlopidine.
Discussion: A literature search produced 6 case reports describing 7 patients in whom probable ticlopidine-induced cholestatic hepatitis had been diagnosed. Only 1 of these reports appeared in the North American literature. Jaundice developed within 1 to 3 months of starting ticlopidine at less than or equal to the recommended daily dose. In all cases, jaundice resolved and serum liver enzyme concentrations normalized over a period of months after drug discontinuation.
Conclusions: Routine monitoring of serum liver enzyme concentrations is not recommended. However, patients should be instructed to watch for signs and symptoms of liver injury. Should they occur, patients should stop taking the ticlopidine and consult their physician immediately.