Propafenone hepatotoxicity: report of two new cases

Dig Dis Sci. 2003 Feb;48(2):354-7. doi: 10.1023/a:1021943930424.

Abstract

Two patients developed acute cholestatic hepatitis during treatment with propafenone. Viral infections, alcohol abuse, hepatotoxicity by other drugs, and biliary obstruction were excluded as causes. In one patient, liver biopsy showed changes consistent with a drug-associated injury. Another patient had autoimmune antibodies (ANA) in the serum. Following propafenone withdrawal, the clinical and biochemical profiles of both patients improved. Hepatic toxicity from the antiarrhythmic drug propafenone is highly uncommon. Moreover, the drug produces hepatocellular injury by an unknown mechanism. Most of the seven cases reported here had acute cholestatic hepatitis after a latency period of two to four weeks.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Atrial Fibrillation / diagnosis
  • Atrial Fibrillation / drug therapy*
  • Biopsy, Needle
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / etiology*
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / pathology*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Liver Function Tests
  • Propafenone / adverse effects*
  • Propafenone / therapeutic use
  • Risk Assessment
  • Severity of Illness Index

Substances

  • Propafenone