Psychotropic Drugs and Liver Disorders: A Case Report

Introduction: The World Health Organization (WHO) defines an adverse drug reaction (ADR) as “a noxious and unwanted reaction occurring at doses normally used in humans for the prophylaxis, diagnosis, or treatment of disease or the modification of a physiological function, or resulting from misuse of the drug or product.” This definition implies that there is a certain degree of causal relationship (attributability) between the drug intake and the occurrence of the effect. Since all medications can cause adverse drug reactions, a risk-benefit analysis is essential whenever a medication is prescribed. Our work will focus on drug-induced liver injury (DILI), particularly psychotropic drugs. Objectives: We report the case of a young woman who developed liver enzyme disturbances while taking psychotropic medications. We discuss the importance of early diagnosis, risk-benefit assessment, and therapeutic window. The patient’s overall hospital care will also be discussed. Our work will also address the literature on drug-related hepatotoxicity, particularly psychotropic drugs, and the appropriate course of action when assessing the benefit-risk ratio of their prescription. Conclusion: Drug-induced hepatotoxicity is a common problem in all medical disciplines. It is a diagnosis of exclusion, and the course following discontinuation of the offending medication helps clarify the imputability, thus raising the question of the risk-benefit ratio of treatment, particularly with regard to psychotropic medications. An effective, multidisciplinary assessment will allow for better management of these patient.