Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 26, 2026
11:36
Induction of Drug-Induced, Autoimmune Hepatitis in BALB/c Mice for the Study of Its Pathogenic Mechanisms
Published on: May 29, 2020
A Rare Case of Methyldopa-Induced Hepatitis
Bruno Bonito1, Joana Cartucho1, Monica F Silva1
1Internal Medicine, Centro Hospitalar Barreiro Montijo, Barreiro, PRT.
Cureus
|June 27, 2025
Summary
Methyldopa can cause severe liver injury, mimicking autoimmune hepatitis. Promptly stopping the drug led to full recovery in a patient, confirming drug-induced liver injury.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Clinical Pharmacology
Background:
- Methyldopa is a common antihypertensive drug.
- It carries a risk of rare but severe hepatotoxicity.
- Methyldopa-induced hepatitis can resemble autoimmune hepatitis (AIH).
Observation:
- A 31-year-old woman with hypertension developed acute hepatitis after starting methyldopa.
- Symptoms included fatigue, jaundice, and elevated liver enzymes.
- Other causes of hepatitis were ruled out.
Findings:
- Discontinuation of methyldopa led to normalization of liver function.
- The patient experienced a full recovery.
- Roussel Uclaf Causality Assessment Method (RUCAM) score of 9 indicated a 'highly probable' link to methyldopa.
Implications:
- This case highlights methyldopa as a potential cause of drug-induced liver injury (DILI).
- Clinicians should consider methyldopa-induced hepatitis in patients presenting with unexplained hepatitis.
- Early recognition and drug withdrawal are crucial for favorable outcomes.
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