[Halothane-induced hepatitis. 8 case reports].

Halothane (Fluothane) is a halogenic volatile anaesthetic used in therapeutic since 1956. His adverse effects are generally moderate with the exception of hepatitis that is usually severe and sometimes fatal. In our study, we analyze 8 cases of halothane-induced hepatitis, notified in the Centre National de Pharmacovigilance between 1994 and 1999 and validate according to B. Bégaud and collaborators method of imputability. It concerns 5 women and 3 men, aged between 26 and 65 years. The injury was cytolytic in 6 cases and cholestatic in the 2 others. It was fulminant in 3 cases of which 2 leaded to death. These injuries are usually graves, with an unforeseeable appearance and a hypothetical mechanism. In our opinion, a liver function control is necessary at the time of utilization of this drug.