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Gatifloxacin-associated acute hepatitis
1College of Pharmacy University of Louisiana at Monroe, and St. Francis Medical Center, 71209, USA.
Pharmacotherapy
|January 5, 2002
Summary
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.