Gatifloxacin-associated acute hepatitis

N E Henann1, M F Zambie

  • 1College of Pharmacy University of Louisiana at Monroe, and St. Francis Medical Center, 71209, USA.

Pharmacotherapy
|January 5, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Gatifloxacin, an antibiotic, can cause acute hepatitis, a serious liver inflammation. This case highlights the importance of monitoring liver function in patients taking this fluoroquinolone medication.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Hepatology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Gatifloxacin is a widely used fluoroquinolone antibiotic with broad-spectrum activity.
  • Concerns exist regarding adverse drug reactions associated with fluoroquinolone use.

Observation:

  • A 44-year-old female patient presented with symptoms of nausea, lethargy, and abdominal pain after 5 days of gatifloxacin treatment for chronic sinusitis.
  • Clinical presentation included elevated liver function tests and jaundice, with bilirubin peaking at 9.4 mg/dl.

Findings:

  • Percutaneous liver biopsy revealed acute hepatitis with eosinophilic infiltrates, strongly suggesting drug-induced hepatitis.
  • Other potential causes for hepatitis, including alternative medications and disease processes, were systematically excluded.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the potential hepatotoxicity of gatifloxacin.
  • Healthcare providers should maintain a high index of suspicion for gatifloxacin-induced hepatitis and monitor liver function in patients receiving this antibiotic.

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