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Published on: August 18, 2015
Toxic hepatitis following ketoconazole treatment
Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases
|January 1, 1984
Summary
Ketoconazole is an effective oral antifungal for many infections. However, severe toxic hepatitis is a rare but serious side effect, as illustrated by a new case report.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Hepatology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Ketoconazole is a broad-spectrum oral antifungal medication.
- It is widely used for superficial and systemic fungal infections.
- It has been considered safe for chronic conditions like mucocutaneous candidiasis.
Observation:
- An increasing incidence of severe toxic hepatitis associated with ketoconazole treatment has been reported.
- A case of a 61-year-old woman treated for onychomycosis is presented.
- This highlights a potential severe adverse effect of ketoconazole.
Findings:
- Ketoconazole, while effective, carries a risk of severe hepatotoxicity.
- The presented case underscores the importance of monitoring liver function during ketoconazole therapy.
- Onychomycosis treatment with ketoconazole may be associated with this risk.
Implications:
- Clinicians should be aware of the potential for severe liver injury with ketoconazole.
- Careful patient selection and monitoring are crucial when prescribing this antifungal.
- Alternative antifungal agents may be considered in patients with risk factors for liver disease.
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