Fenofibrate-induced acute cholestatic hepatitis.

Fenofibrate-induced acute or chronic hepatitis is rare, and only 11 reports from French, Italian or Spanish literature have been published up to date. We report a case of fenofibrate-induced acute cholestatic hepatitis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first one reported in Taiwan. A 61-year-old man developed acute cholestatic hepatitis after taking fenofibrate 100 mg tid for 10 days. Laboratory profile on admission showed serum total bilirubin 9.3 mg/dL, direct bilirubin 2.7 mg/dL, alanine aminotransferase 249 IU/L, aspartate aminotransferase 259 IU/L, alkaline phosphatase 259 IU/L, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase 1014 IU/L. Pathology proved hepatocanalicular cholestasis in liver. Fenofibrate was discontinued immediately. His clinical manifestations and liver function tests improved gradually and returned to nearly normal in 2 months. We suggest that liver function tests, including total bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, be checked at least 2 weeks after taking the drug and that serum aminotransferase be monitored every 3 months during the first 12 months of therapy. Treatment should be discontinued if alanine aminotransferase values increase by more than 100 IU/L.