Cefdinir-induced hepatotoxicity: potential hazards of inappropriate antibiotic use.

Abstract

Drug-induced hepatotoxicity is well recognized but can cause some diagnostic problems, particularly if not previously reported. The present case involves a 22-year-old male who presented with jaundice and elevated liver enzymes after a course of cefdinir (Omnicef) for streptococcal pharyngitis. A diagnosis of drug-induced liver injury was suspected but a liver biopsy was required after his jaundice worsened despite cessation of the presumed offending agent. A short course of steroids was initiated and eventually the jaundice resolved. This case highlights the need to suspect medication-induced liver injury in cases of jaundice, even if not previously reported. In addition, it illustrates the potential for adverse outcomes in situations where antibiotics are used inappropriately or where first line antibiotics are not used for routine infections. We report a case of a young male who developed jaundice associated with cefdinir use with pathological confirmation of moderate cholestasis with portal and lobular mixed inflammation and focal bile duct injury consistent with drug-induced liver injury.

• Authors: Joy Chen, Jawad Ahmad
• Journal: Journal of general internal medicine (J Gen Intern Med) Vol. 23 Issue 11 Pg. 1914-6 (Nov 2008) ISSN: 1525-1497 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 18752027 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anti-Bacterial Agents
• Cephalosporins
• Cefdinir

Topics

• Anti-Bacterial Agents (adverse effects)
• Cefdinir
• Cephalosporins (adverse effects)
• Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury (complications, etiology, pathology)
• Humans
• Male
• Obesity, Morbid (complications)
• Pharyngitis (drug therapy, microbiology)
• Streptococcal Infections (drug therapy)
• Young Adult