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Hepatotoxicity associated with carvedilol

K O Hagmeyer1, J Stein

  • 1College of Pharmacy, The University of Toledo, OH 43606, USA. Khagmey@utnet.utoledo.edu

The Annals of Pharmacotherapy
|November 29, 2001
PubMed

Insights

A patient experienced severe itching and elevated liver enzymes while taking carvedilol, a beta-blocker. This adverse reaction may recur with other beta-adrenergic blockers, necessitating careful patient monitoring.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Hepatology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Beta-adrenergic blockers are commonly prescribed for cardiovascular conditions.
  • Carvedilol is a non-selective beta-adrenergic blocker with alpha-blocking activity.
  • Adverse drug reactions require thorough investigation and reporting.

Observation:

  • A case of a 40-year-old male patient presenting with severe pruritus and elevated serum transaminases is detailed.
  • The patient was initially treated with carvedilol for cardiomyopathy.
  • Symptoms resolved after carvedilol discontinuation, but recurred upon switching to metoprolol.

Findings:

  • Carvedilol can induce pruritus and hepatotoxicity, indicated by elevated liver function tests.
  • The adverse reaction appears to be rare and potentially class-specific to beta-adrenergic blockers.
  • Discontinuation of the offending drug led to normalization of liver function tests.

Implications:

  • Clinicians should monitor patients on carvedilol for signs of pruritus and liver dysfunction.
  • Hepatotoxicity associated with carvedilol may necessitate a change in medication to a different drug class.
  • This case highlights the importance of considering drug-induced liver injury in patients presenting with unexplained pruritus and elevated transaminases.
Abstract

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