[Drug-induced liver disease: experiences of the Swiss Center for Adverse Drug Effects 1989-1991]

Drug-induced liver disease can mimic any form of acute or chronic liver disease. Suspected drug-induced liver disease makes up between 4 and 7% of all reports of adverse drug effects voluntarily reported to central registries. We report on all patients with drug-induced hepatotoxic reactions voluntarily reported to the Swiss Adverse Drug Reaction Center from 1989 to 1991. In that period there was a total of 2084 reports of which 140 (6.7%) concerned the liver. In 16 cases two drugs were simultaneously involved, so that 156 investigations were carried out. We found a causal relationship in 123 cases. Antibiotic and chemotherapeutic agents were the drugs most frequently involved. There were seven fatal cases (5%). Our data correspond with the data in the literature. Regarding the amount of drugs prescribed, the hepatic adverse effect can be regarded as common.