Refractory pruritus in cholestatic drug-induced liver injury secondary to androgenic anabolic steroids: Plasmapheresis to the rescue

Anabolic androgenic steroids (AASs) have long been misused by professional athletes. Easy online and over-the-counter availability of AASs makes it an alluring option even among amateurs for their desired cosmetic and performance-enhancing effects. AASs have been associated with distinct forms of liver injury including transient transaminitis, peliosis hepatis, and hepatic tumors. An acute cholestatic syndrome with bland histology is another characteristic form of liver injury rarely reported with AASs. Plasmapheresis may provide a long-lasting relief of symptoms when conventional pharmacotherapeutic measures fail. Herein, we report a challenging case of a young male with refractory pruritus secondary to AASs, managed effectively with plasmapheresis.