Severe Drug-Induced Liver Injury as an Adverse Drug Event of Antibiotics: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Chemotherapy. 2017;62(6):367-373. doi: 10.1159/000480399. Epub 2017 Sep 22.

Abstract

Drug-induced liver injury is one of the main reasons for acute liver failure. We report the case of a young patient who experienced a drug-induced liver injury resulting in life-threatening acute liver failure after treatment with different antibiotics (amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin, cefazolin, clindamycin) and acetaminophen, or a combination of these drugs. Moreover, we provide an overview of the hepatotoxic potential of these drugs.

Keywords: Acetaminophen; Acute liver failure; Amoxicillin; Antibiotics; Cefazolin; Ciprofloxacin; Clindamycin; Drug-induced liver injury.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Alanine Transaminase / blood
  • Amoxicillin / adverse effects
  • Amoxicillin / therapeutic use
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / adverse effects*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Aspartate Aminotransferases / blood
  • Cefazolin / adverse effects
  • Cefazolin / therapeutic use
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / etiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lymphadenitis / drug therapy
  • Young Adult
  • gamma-Glutamyltransferase / blood

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Amoxicillin
  • gamma-Glutamyltransferase
  • Aspartate Aminotransferases
  • Alanine Transaminase
  • Cefazolin