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Updated: May 29, 2026
11:06
Human Liver Microphysiological System for Assessing Drug-Induced Liver Toxicity In Vitro
Published on: January 31, 2022
Gemfibrozil hepatotoxicity: a case report.
Patricia Domínguez Tordera1, José Francisco Comellas Alabern, Félix Ronda Rivero
1Hospital Asepeyo Sant Cugat del Vallés, Barcelona, Spain. patriziadominguez@gmail.com
International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
|September 2, 2011
Summary
Gemfibrozil can cause rare cases of drug-induced liver injury, presenting as acute hepatitis. Discontinuation of the medication led to rapid recovery, highlighting its importance in differential diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Clinical Pharmacology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Hypertriglyceridemia management often involves lipid-lowering agents.
- Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is a significant concern in pharmacotherapy.
- Gemfibrozil is a fibric acid derivative used to treat dyslipidemia.
Observation:
- A 55-year-old female patient developed acute hepatitis with elevated liver enzymes (AST, ALT).
- The patient was receiving gemfibrozil for hypertriglyceridemia following admission for thoracic trauma.
- Symptoms of nausea and malaise preceded the biochemical evidence of hepatitis.
Findings:
- Viral hepatitis serology and abdominal ultrasound were negative, excluding common causes.
- Discontinuation of gemfibrozil resulted in a rapid normalization of liver enzymes.
- This clinical course strongly suggests gemfibrozil-induced hepatitis.
Implications:
- Gemfibrozil-induced hepatitis is a rare but critical diagnosis to consider.
- Early recognition and withdrawal of the offending agent are key to patient recovery.
- This case underscores the need for vigilant monitoring of liver function during gemfibrozil therapy.
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