Archives of pathology & laboratory medicine
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Arch. Pathol. Lab. Med. · Dec 2000
Review Case ReportsAcute fulminant hepatic failure in a woman treated with phenytoin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.
Massive hepatic necrosis following exposure to phenytoin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole is a rare occurrence and to the best of our knowledge has not been reported previously. Acute hepatic failure following administration of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole has rarely been seen, and only 4 cases have been well documented pathologically. ⋯ Autopsy findings revealed acute fulminant hepatic failure. This case demonstrates the effects of chemical-chemical interactions in the potentiation of hepatotoxicity of single agents and specifically illustrates the need for discontinuing trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole in the presence of early liver injury.