Clin Mol Hepatol.  2016 Dec;22(4):495-498. 10.3350/cmh.2016.0023.

A case of levocetirizine-induced liver injury

• Jung MC
• Kim JK
• Cho JY
• Song JW
• Lee B
• Park JW
• Seo J
• Kim SE

• KMID: 2373154
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3350/cmh.2016.0023

Abstract

Levocetirizine is a second-generation nonsedative antihistaminic agent that has been demonstrated to be safe and effective for treating allergic disease. There was only one case report of levocetirizine-induced liver toxicity, but a liver biopsy was not performed. In this article, we present the first case of levocetirizine-induced liver injury with histologic findings. A 48-year-old man was hospitalized with jaundice and generalized pruritus that had developed after 2 months of therapy with levocetirizine for prurigo nodularis. Laboratory findings revealed acute hepatitis with cholestasis. A liver biopsy demonstrated portal inflammation and hepatitis with apoptotic hepatocytes. The patient fully recovered 3 weeks after withdrawing levocetirizine. Although levocetirizine is safe and effective, physicians should be aware of its potential hepatotoxicity.

Keyword

Hepatotoxicity; Levocetirizine; Cholestasis

MeSH Terms

Cetirizine/*adverse effects/therapeutic use
Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/*diagnosis/pathology
Histamine H1 Antagonists, Non-Sedating/*adverse effects/therapeutic use
Humans
Hypersensitivity/drug therapy
Jaundice/etiology
Liver/pathology
Male
Middle Aged
Pruritus/etiology
Cetirizine
Histamine H1 Antagonists, Non-Sedating