Aspirin-Induced Acute Liver Injury
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Published on: April 28, 2020
Janese Laster1, Rohit Satoskar2
1Department of Internal Medicine, Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC.
Insights
High-dose aspirin, while generally safe for adults, can cause acute liver injury. This case report highlights potential hepatotoxicity, emphasizing careful monitoring during high-dose aspirin therapy.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Hepatology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) is widely used for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.
- While its safety profile in adults is generally favorable, known associations exist with Reye syndrome in children.
- Hepatotoxicity is not a commonly recognized side effect in adult aspirin use.
Observation:
- A 41-year-old female patient presented with pericarditis.
- The patient was treated with high-dose aspirin for her condition.
- Following treatment initiation, she developed acute liver injury, evidenced by elevated liver enzymes and right upper quadrant pain.
Findings:
- Discontinuation of high-dose aspirin led to the resolution of liver enzyme elevation.
- Symptoms of right upper quadrant pain also resolved after aspirin cessation.
- This clinical course strongly suggests a causal link between high-dose aspirin and the observed acute liver injury.
Implications:
- High-dose aspirin should be recognized as a potential hepatotoxic agent in adult patients.
- Clinicians should consider monitoring liver function in patients receiving prolonged or high-dose aspirin therapy.
- Further research may be warranted to elucidate the mechanisms of aspirin-induced hepatotoxicity.
Abstract:
Aspirin is thought to be a relatively safe drug in adults. The association of aspirin and Reye syndrome in children is well documented. We report a 41-year-old female with pericarditis who was treated with high-dose aspirin and developed subsequent acute liver injury. After discontinuation of aspirin, liver enzyme elevation and right upper quadrant pain both resolved. We conclude that high-dose aspirin should be considered as a potentially hepatotoxic agent.
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