Hepatitis following famotidine: a case report

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Pharmacology
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Histamine H2 receptor antagonists are rarely associated with idiosyncratic drug reactions, including acute hepatitis.
• Famotidine is generally considered safe regarding hepatotoxicity.
• Hepatitis C is a known risk factor for liver dysfunction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a rare case of acute hepatitis potentially induced by famotidine.
• To highlight the importance of considering drug-induced liver injury in patients with unexplained hepatitis.
• To emphasize the need for vigilant monitoring of liver enzymes during famotidine therapy.

Main Methods:

• Case report of a 47-year-old male patient with a history of hepatitis C.
• Monitoring of liver enzymes upon admission and during hospitalization.
• Discontinuation of famotidine as a suspected cause of acute hepatitis.
• Observation of liver enzyme levels following famotidine withdrawal.

Main Results:

• The patient developed acute hepatitis with a dramatic rise in liver enzymes on the third day of hospitalization.
• Liver enzymes normalized within seven days after discontinuing famotidine.
• The temporal relationship between famotidine use and the rise in liver enzymes suggests a causal link.

Conclusions:

• Famotidine should be considered a potential cause of acute hepatitis, even in patients with pre-existing liver conditions.
• Early recognition and discontinuation of the offending drug are crucial for managing drug-induced liver injury.
• Physicians must maintain a high index of suspicion for famotidine-induced hepatitis in cases of acute liver dysfunction.