Acute fulminant hepatic failure in a woman treated with phenytoin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole

Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2000 Dec;124(12):1800-3. doi: 10.5858/2000-124-1800-AFHFIA.

Abstract

Massive hepatic necrosis following exposure to phenytoin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole is a rare occurrence and to the best of our knowledge has not been reported previously. Acute hepatic failure following administration of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole has rarely been seen, and only 4 cases have been well documented pathologically. We report a case of acute liver failure in a 60-year-old woman following ingestion of phenytoin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole concomitantly over a 9-day period. Autopsy findings revealed acute fulminant hepatic failure. This case demonstrates the effects of chemical-chemical interactions in the potentiation of hepatotoxicity of single agents and specifically illustrates the need for discontinuing trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole in the presence of early liver injury.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Child, Preschool
  • Drug Interactions
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Hepatic Encephalopathy / chemically induced*
  • Hepatic Encephalopathy / pathology
  • Humans
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / pathology
  • Middle Aged
  • Necrosis
  • Phenytoin / adverse effects*
  • Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Phenytoin
  • Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination