Amineptine-induced cholestatic hepatitis. 5 cases
Bories, P.; Pomier-Layrargues, G.; Chotard, J.P.; Citron, D.; Capron-Chivrac, D.; Capron, J.P.; Michel, H.
La Nouvelle Presse Medicale 9(48): 3689-3692
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0301-1518 PMID: 7454584 Document Number: 164015
The authors have observed 5 cases of cholestatic jaundice with cytolysis during treatment with amineptine, a new tricyclic compound recently made available. The responsibility of the drug was virtually certain for the following reasons: (a) there was no other cause of jaundice, such as viral infection, gallstones, toxic agents or association with other hepatotoxic drugs; (b) clinical and biochemical findings were similar in all patients; (c) in 2 patients, reintroduction of the drug after temporary withdrawal resulted in rapid recurrence of the condition, with the same symptoms and course. The shorter delay (2 and 8 days instead of 11 and 18 days) between absorption of amineptine and reappearance of the symptoms in these two patients is suggestive of an immunoallergic mechanism.