Drug-induced hepatotoxicity in a tertiary care hospital in rural South India

BACKGROUND: Liver is the main organ for metabolism of drugs and hepatotoxicity is a potential adverse effect for most drugs.

AIMS: This study was to study the frequency of drug-induced hepatotoxicity and to find the common drugs causing hepatotoxicity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in rural India. It is a study based on case series analysis. All patients with an abnormal liver function report, between July 2006 and July 2007, were included in the study

RESULTS: The study included 411 patients. Among them 141 patients were females and 270 males. The common cause for abnormal liver function was alcoholic liver disease (30.4%) followed by drug-induced hepatotoxicity (15.8%) and malaria (15.3%). Drug-induced hepatotoxicity was seen in 65 patients. It was common in males (55%) compared to females (44%). The mean age of the patients with drug-induced hepatotoxicity was 43±15.9. Antitubercular drugs were the commonly encountered drugs (44%) causing hepatotoxicity followed by lipid lowering agents (41%). The others drugs included antiretroviral drugs (6%),steroids (5%) and chlorpromazine (2%).

CONCLUSION: A thorough history of drug intake must be taken in all patients presenting with abnormal hepatic function.