[Hepatic involvement associated with ingestion of metapramine]

Gastroenterol Clin Biol. 1988 Jan;12(1):71-3.
[Article in French]

Abstract

The authors report the cases of 3 women who developed hepatic injury during administration of metapramine, a tricyclic antidepressant introduced in France in 1984. One patient had jaundice and pruritus; the 2 others had loss of weight. Serum alkaline phosphatase and serum transaminase activities were increased in 3 and 2 patients, respectively. Blood hypereosinophilia was found in one patient; erythrocyte sedimentation rate was elevated in 2 patients. The outcome was favorable after drug withdrawal in the 3 patients. Liver biopsy showed centrolobular cholestasis in the 3 patients. There was no rechallenge; in 2 patients, other drugs than metapramine might be implicated in hepatic injury; however, the similarity of these 3 cases suggests that metapramine, like other tricyclic antidepressants, may be responsible for hepatic injury.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / adverse effects*
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / etiology*
  • Dibenzazepines / adverse effects*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged

Substances

  • Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic
  • Dibenzazepines
  • metapramine