Labetalol-induced hepatitis in a patient with chronic hepatitis B infection

Abstract

Drug-induced hepatotoxicity is an important cause of hepatocellular injury. Hepatic necrosis may range from asymptomatic elevations in transaminases to fulminant hepatic failure and death. A 50-year-old Asian man developed moderate elevations of hepatic transaminases after commencing labetalol therapy for a hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage. Extensive evaluation revealed evidence of chronic hepatitis B infection, of which the patient was previously not aware. Hepatic transaminases normalized after discontinuation of labetalol.