Early onset hepatotoxicity associated with low dose fluconazole therapy in a critically ill patient

Year 2014, Volume: 19 Issue: 1, 61 - 65, 29.04.2014

Jaime Yoke May Chan Chai Fung Kiew Chee Ping Chong

Abstract

Hepatotoxicity associated with fluconazole is less implicated than other antifungals although cases of fatalities were reported. We describe a 34-year-old kidney impaired male with Marfan syndrome manifested with acute elevated liver enzymes due to fluconazole therapy intravenous (IV) 200 mg stat followed by IV 100 mg daily. His baseline alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was 38 U/L, total bilirubin was 36 µmol/L and prothrombin time was 19.7 seconds. Marked elevation of ALT level (214 U/L), total bilirubin (54 µmol/L) and prothrombin time (37 seconds) were noticed starting from day 4 of fluconazole therapy. The patient subsequently developed nausea and vomiting and the ALT and total bilirubin level further rose to 2394 U/L and 94 µmol/L on day 6.  Discontinuation of fluconazole without re-challenged on day 8 resulted in sharp decreased in prothrombin time from 65.3 seconds to 31.9 seconds and normalization of liver enzymes in 2 weeks time. In conclusion, low dose fluconazole may induce early onset of hepatotoxicity in critically ill patient with kidney failure. Prompt discontinuation of fluconazole therapy is needed to prevent further deterioration in liver function.

Keywords

Hepatotoxicity, fluconazole, antifungal agent, adverse effect

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