[Oxyphenisatin, a laxative responsible for chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis, still marketed in France (author's transl)].

Abstract

Six patients suffering from chronic liver disease attributed to oxyphenisatin ingestion are presented. They seem to be the first such cases reported in France. These patients were between 22 and 69 years old, 5 of them were female. Three patients had a chronic active hepatitis (CAH). In these three subjects the onset of the illness was a jaundice ; alanine transaminase (ALAT) exceeded 5 times the upper limit of the normal value ; smooth muscle antibodies were present in 2 patients and antinuclear antibodies in the third. Two other patients had cirrhosis, without chronic active hepatitis ; none presented autoantibodies. The sixth patient suffered from a subacute hepatitis, suggested by the presence of jaundice and ascites, high levels of serum ALAT and a very prolonged prothrombin time ; smooth muscle antibodies were present. In all cases, HBs Ag was absent from serum. Each patient had ingested laxative pills containing oxyphenisatin for 4 to 25 years ; the total amount ingested was comprised between 12.5 and 350 g. The chronic liver diseases reported in this series closely resemble those published in the literature. The lesions observed make it necessary to look for oxyphenisatin ingestion in every patient having CAH or cirrhosis without known etiology. These chronic liver diseases imply the rapid withdrawal of oxyphenisatin from french market, as already enforced in Australia and the United States.

• Authors: J C Delchier, J M Métreau, V G Lévy, P Opolon, D Dhumeaux
• Journal: La Nouvelle presse medicale (Nouv Presse Med) Vol. 8 Issue 37 Pg. 2955-8 (Oct 01 1979) ISSN: 0301-1518 [Print] France
• Vernacular Title: L'oxyphénisatine, laxatif responsable d'hépatites chroniques et de cirrhoses... toujours commercialisé en France.
• PMID: 503828 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Indoles
• Oxyphenisatin Acetate

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury (etiology)
• Chronic Disease
• Female
• France
• Humans
• Indoles (adverse effects)
• Liver Cirrhosis (chemically induced)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Oxyphenisatin Acetate (adverse effects)