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Flutamide-induced toxic hepatitis

Potential utility of ursodeoxycholic acid administration in toxic hepatitis

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Summary

Flutamide is a nonsteroidal antiandrogen commonly used in the treatment of prostate cancer. Hepatic toxicity associated with flutamide has been reported with an incidence from less than 1% to about 5%. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), a hydrophilic bile acid, has been widely used in the treatment of cholesterol gallstones and of several liver diseases, but few data are now available concerning its use in the management of drug-induced hepatitis.

The case of a patient who presented severe hepatitis with jaundice following use of flutamide is reported. UDCA treatment was started on admission and, contemporaneously, flutamide was withdrawn. Clinical and biochemical improvement was progressively observed, and the patient was discharged six weeks after the admission. Since fatal flutamide-related hepatitis has been reported, monitoring of serum liver tests is advocated during flutamide administration, and the effectiveness of UDCA in the treatment of drug-induced hepatotoxicity requires further study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, University of Bologna, Policlinico S. Orsola, v. Massarenti 9, 40138, Bologna, Italy

    Camilla Cicognani MD, Mauro Malavolti MD, Antonio Maria Morselli-Labate PhD, Claudia Sama MD & Luigi Barbara MD

Authors
  1. Camilla Cicognani MD
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  2. Mauro Malavolti MD
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  3. Antonio Maria Morselli-Labate PhD
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  4. Claudia Sama MD
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  5. Luigi Barbara MD
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Cicognani, C., Malavolti, M., Morselli-Labate, A.M. et al. Flutamide-induced toxic hepatitis. Digest Dis Sci 41, 2219–2221 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02071403

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02071403

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