Augmentin-induced jaundice with a fatal outcome. |
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Authors: | G S Hebbard K G Smith P R Gibson P S Bhathal |
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Affiliation: | Department of Gastroenterology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, VIC. |
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Abstract: | OBJECTIVE: To report a case of death due to Augmentin-induced cholestatic hepatitis and discuss a possible drug interaction between Augmentin and oestrogenic steroids. CLINICAL FEATURES, INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME: An 81-year-old man, on oestrogen therapy for prostatic malignancy, presented with obstructive jaundice one week after completing a four-week course of Augmentin for recurrent urinary tract infection. Liver biopsy showed features of a drug-induced cholestatic hepatitis with bile duct injury. His clinical course was marked by progressive deterioration with increasing jaundice and the development of hepatic encephalopathy. A course of prednisolone did not result in any improvement and he died nine weeks after the onset of jaundice. CONCLUSIONS: The cholestatic hepatitis induced by Augmentin is usually reversible but may be progressive, leading to death. The concurrent administration of ethinyloestradiol, a potentially cholestatic agent, may have altered the susceptibility and/or course of the reaction in this patient. |
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