[Hepatotoxicity probably associated with gabapentin]

Rev Med Inst Mex Seguro Soc. 2021 Jun 14;59(2):157-162.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

Background: Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant medication used as an adjuvant in the treatment of neuropathic pain; few cases have been reported in which it causes acute liver injury.

Clinical case: 56-year-old male patient with a history of chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis and narrowing of the spinal canal under treatment with gabapentin, who presented acute liver injury probably secondary to a dose of gabapentin; however, it remitted with the suspension of said drug.

Conclusion: Gabapentin lacks liver metabolism; the mechanism by which it produces liver injury is still unknown; however, there are reports of hepatotoxicity associated with its administration, so its use must be individualized for each patient.

Introducción: la gabapentina es un fármaco anticonvulsivante utilizado como adyuvante en el tratamiento del dolor neuropático; se han reportado pocos casos en los cuales es causa de lesión hepática aguda.

Caso clínico: paciente masculino de 56 años de edad con antecedente de enfermedad renal crónica en hemodiálisis y diagnóstico de canal lumbar estrecho en tratamiento con gabapentina, quien presentó lesión hepática aguda, probablemente secundaria a la dosis de gabapentina; sin embargo, remitió posterior a la suspensión de dicho fármaco.

Conclusión: la gabapentina carece de metabolismo hepático; el mecanismo por el cual produce lesión hepática aún es desconocido; sin embargo, existen reportes de hepatotoxicidad asociada a su administración, por lo que su utilización deberá individualizarse para cada paciente.

Keywords: Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; Gabapentin; Hepatotoxicity; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Amines / adverse effects
  • Analgesics
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury* / diagnosis
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury* / etiology
  • Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids* / adverse effects
  • Gabapentin / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / adverse effects

Substances

  • Amines
  • Analgesics
  • Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
  • Gabapentin