Isoniazid-rifampicin-induced submassive hepatic necrosis

A 58-year-old woman with tuberculosis received antituberculous drugs which included isoniazid, rifampicin, and ethambutol. Nausea and anorexia were initial symptoms while jaundice and abdominal pain were late manifestations. She became comatose and died 7 weeks after therapy. Autopsy revealed submassive necrosis of the liver and active advanced pulmonary tuberculosis. It is, thus, necessary for the physician to be alert for this serious complication in prescribing a combination of these antituberculous drugs.