[Dextropropoxyphene hepatotoxicity: four cases and literature review]

Author(s): Bergeron L, Guy C, Ratrema M, Beyens MN, Mounier G, Ollagnier M

Affiliation(s): Centre Regional de Pharmacovigilance, Hopital de Bellevue, St-Etienne, France.

Publication date & source: 2002-09, Therapie., 57(5):464-72.

Publication type: Case Reports

We report 4 cases of hepatic injury in patients treated with a dextropropoxyphene-paracetamol combination in which the causal relationship with dextropropoxyphene can be suspected. These four cases show similarities with the 29 cases found in international publications. Hepatotoxicity occurs more frequently among old patients and women. Clinically, this condition can mimic a biliary tract disease with sometimes few or no symptoms. Biochemical criteria can show cholestatic, mixed or cytolytic hepatitis. Intrahepatic cholestasis may be found in liver biopsies sometimes suggesting cholangitis. Outcome is favourable on withdrawal of the drug. The mechanism of action of dextropropoxyphene is discussed.