Fatal cholestatic jaundice in elderly patients taking benoxaprofen.

Fatal cholestatic jaundice in elderly patients taking benoxaprofenBenoxaprofen is a relatively new propionic acid derivative that is extensively prescribed for patients with arthritis.The most important adverse effect so far reported is a photosensitivity skin reaction.We report five cases of cholestatic jaundice with fatal outcome in elderly women taking this preparation. Case reportsAll patients were women over the age of 80 years and were treated with benoxaprofen 600 mg daily.Case 1-An 86-year-old woman presented in January 1981 with a confusional state.She had a smooth firm liver palpable 6 cm below the costal margin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate of 75 mm in first hour, and a slightly raised alkaline phosphatase activity.She recovered spontaneously and was not seen until June 1981 when benoxaprofen was started for longstanding rheumatoid arthritis.