Addisonian crisis in a liver transplant patient due to fluconazole withdrawal

Clin Transplant. 1999 Feb;13(1 Pt 1):62-4. doi: 10.1034/j.1399-0012.1999.t01-1-130110.x.

Abstract

Fluconazole is an antifungal agent commonly used in liver transplant patients. In addition to its antifungal activity, it is a potent inhibitor of the liver cytochrome P450 enzymes. These enzymes degrade a wide range of metabolically active compounds including glucocorticoids. In this report, we identify an episode of Addisonian crisis that occurred in a liver transplant patient receiving prednisone immunosuppression after fluconazole was discontinued. We postulate the mechanism for the crisis was a reversal of the fluconazole-induced suppression of the P450 enzymes. The resulting increased activity altered the patient's glucocorticoid metabolism leading to an Addisonian crisis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Addison Disease / chemically induced*
  • Antifungal Agents / adverse effects*
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Female
  • Fluconazole / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Liver Transplantation*
  • Middle Aged
  • Opportunistic Infections / prevention & control
  • Substance Withdrawal Syndrome*

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Fluconazole