Aspirin hepatotoxicity

A case of aspirin hepatotoxicity in a 46-year-old male with rheumatoid arthritis is discussed, and this adverse reaction is reviewed. The patient was started on 900 mg aspirin four times daily; five days later the dose was increased to 1200 mg four times daily. After six days' therapy of 4.8 g aspirin daily, the serum salicylate level rose to 25 mg/100 ml and liver enzymes became elevated. Aspirin was discontinued and ibuprofen, 600 mg four times daily, begun. Eight days after cessation of aspirin therapy, the patient's liver enzyme values returned to normal. Previous case reports and studies of aspirin-induced hepatotoxicity are reviewed. It is concluded that aspirin-induced hepatotoxicity occurs much more frequently in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and other connective tissue disorders than previously recognized.