A Case of Hepatotoxicity Induced by Short-term Acne Medications: The Need for Clinical Awareness

Objective: This case study aims to raise awareness of the risk of hepatotoxicity caused by conventional drugs, a concern often encountered in traditional Korean medicine (TKM) clinics.Methods: A young female patient developed drug-induced liver injury (DILI) after taking medication for facial acne over a 7-day period.Result: A 16-year-old female presented with symptoms of dyspepsia, nausea, fatigue, and dizziness after taking an herbal decoction for 2 days to treat underlying anemia. Laboratory tests revealed a liver injury, with elevated AST (77 IU/L), ALT (231 IU/L), ALP (261 IU/L), and GGT (381 IU/L) serum levels. A follow-up interview revealed that the patient had been taking acne medication containing potentially hepatotoxic drugs, such as roxithromycin. Discontinuation of the acne medication led to rapid symptom resolution and normalized laboratory findings within 4 weeks, even with subsequent use of the herbal decoction.Conclusion: This case underscores the importance of TKM practitioner vigilance over potentially hepatotoxic conventional drugs encountered in clinical practice.