Rapid Development of Autoimmune Hepatitis Secondary to Minocycline

Cureus. 2022 Mar 10;14(3):e23038. doi: 10.7759/cureus.23038. eCollection 2022 Mar.

Abstract

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a condition that affects the liver which, potentially, may render it fibrotic and eventually cirrhotic. This condition has many etiologies ranging from genetic predispositions and immunological defects to medication and environmental side effects. Essentially, we will explore the risks, presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of this condition as it relates to a medication-induced etiology. Here we report a case where a patient developed this condition from taking the antibiotic minocycline. The patient was treated with prednisone therapy and went into complete remission with no reoccurrence of AIH. The purpose of this case report is to highlight the fact that these cases have the potential to occur fairly sooner than expected, in a matter of weeks or months, after the induction of minocycline. Hence, carefully monitoring liver functions more frequently may aide in the prevention of minocycline-induced AIH.

Keywords: autoimmune hepatitis; gastroenterology; hepatitis workup; minocycline; steroid therapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports