[Hepatitis Caused By Benzarone - a Case-report]

A 46-year-old woman with a previous history of thyroiditis but without clinical evidence of preexisting liver disease presented with severe acute hepatitis while under benzarone therapy (Fragivix(R), 400 mg per day, p.o.). Because of negative serological work-up, a tentative diagnosis of "sporadic" non-A, non-B hepatitis was considered. Two months after resolution, a relapse of clinical and biochemical features of hepatitis occurring 10 days after the spontaneous resumption of therapy led to the diagnosis of drug-induced liver damage. This case represents the third reported case of severe hepatitis related to benzarone. The mechanism of liver toxicity was likely due to hypersensitivity.