[Hepatitis probably caused by exifone (Adlone)]

Exifone, a drug recently proposed for the treatment of cognitive deficiencies of old age, has been marketed in France beginning in April 1988. This report concerns 2 patients who developed jaundice after taking this drug for 2 and 5 months, respectively. Serum aminotransferase was markedly increased. There was no hepatic failure. In both cases, histologic examination of a liver sample showed centrilobular hepatocyte necrosis and cholestasis. Necrotic cells were infiltrated with numerous red blood cells and scarce inflammatory cells. These lesions were associated with alterations of the walls of centrilobular veins. Discontinuation of exifone was followed by the prompt disappearance of jaundice. Complete recovery occurred within 6 and 12 weeks, respectively.