Memantine-Induced Hepatitis with Cholestasis in a Very Elderly Patient

Letters15 April 2008Memantine-Induced Hepatitis with Cholestasis in a Very Elderly PatientNicola Ferrara, MD, Graziamaria Corbi, MD, PhD, Annalisa Capuano, MD, Amelia Filippelli, MD, PhD, and Francesco Rossi, MDNicola Ferrara, MDFrom University of Molese, Campobasso 86100, Italy, and Second University of Naples, Naples 80138, Italy., Graziamaria Corbi, MD, PhDFrom University of Molese, Campobasso 86100, Italy, and Second University of Naples, Naples 80138, Italy., Annalisa Capuano, MDFrom University of Molese, Campobasso 86100, Italy, and Second University of Naples, Naples 80138, Italy., Amelia Filippelli, MD, PhDFrom University of Molese, Campobasso 86100, Italy, and Second University of Naples, Naples 80138, Italy., and Francesco Rossi, MDFrom University of Molese, Campobasso 86100, Italy, and Second University of Naples, Naples 80138, Italy.Author, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-148-8-200804150-00023 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail Background: Memantine, recently approved in Europe and the United States for treating dementia, has been shown to reduce clinical deterioration in moderate-to-severe Alzheimer disease and in vascular dementia (1). To our knowledge, there are no reports of hepatotoxicity during treatment with memantine.Objective: To describe a case of memantine-induced hepatotoxicity in a very elderly patient with mixed, moderate dementia and behavior disorders.Case Report: A 92-year-old white woman with hypertension and heart failure (New York Heart Association class II to III) had mixed, moderate dementia and behavior disorders. She was on a home care program and was taking digoxin, 0.125 ...References1. Winblad B, Jelic V. Treating the full spectrum of dementia with memantine. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2003;18:S41-6. [PMID: 12973749] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. Bénichou C. Criteria of drug-induced liver disorders. Report of an international consensus meeting. J Hepatol. 1990;11:272-6. [PMID: 2254635] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. Naranjo CA, Busto U, Sellers EM, Sandor P, Ruiz I, Roberts EA, et al. A method for estimating the probability of adverse drug reactions. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 1981;30:239-45. [PMID: 7249508] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. Honegger UE, Quack G, Wiesmann UN. Evidence for lysosomotropism of memantine in cultured human cells: cellular kinetics and effects of memantine on phospholipid content and composition, membrane fluidity and beta-adrenergic transmission. Pharmacol Toxicol. 1993;73:202-8. [PMID: 8295847] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. Lee WM. Drug-induced hepatotoxicity. N Engl J Med. 2003;349:474-85. [PMID: 12890847] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: Nicola Ferrara, MD; Graziamaria Corbi, MD, PhD; Annalisa Capuano, MD; Amelia Filippelli, MD, PhD; Francesco Rossi, MDAffiliations: From University of Molese, Campobasso 86100, Italy, and Second University of Naples, Naples 80138, Italy.Disclosures: None disclosed. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byDesign, fabrication, optimization and characterization of memantine-loaded biodegradable PLGA nanoscaffolds for treatment of Alzheimer's diseaseNasal delivery of neurotherapeutics via nanocarriers: Facets, aspects, and prospectsEngineering of structural and functional properties of nanotherapeutics and nanodiagnostics for intranasal brain targeting in Alzheimer'sDrugs used in the treatment of Alzheimer's diseaseMemantine-Induced Liver Injury With Probable Causality as Assessed Using the Roussel Uclaf Causality Assessment Method (RUCAM)Anti-Dementia Drugs and Hepatotoxicity–Report of Two CasesPolypharmacyImpact of an Innovative Educational Strategy on Medication Appropriate Use and Length of Stay in Elderly PatientsDi-22:6-bis(monoacylglycerol)phosphate: A clinical biomarker of drug-induced phospholipidosis for drug development and safety assessmentSomatic comorbidities and Alzheimer's disease treatmentWhich psychotropic medications induce hepatotoxicity?Current awareness: Pharmacoepidemiology and drug safetyHeart Failure with Sunitinib; Prolonged QT Interval, Syncope, and Delirium with Galantamine; Memantine-Induced Hepatitis; Cabergoline-Associated Erythema Nodosum; "Sleep Driving" and the Use of Nonbenzodiazepine Hypnotics; Atypical Fractures in Postmenopausal Women Taking Alendronate; Drug-Related Problems in Patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus 15 April 2008Volume 148, Issue 8Page: 631-632KeywordsAdverse reactionsDementiaDrugsHepatitisHepatitis ALiverMembrane proteinsSigns and symptoms ePublished: 15 April 2008 Issue Published: 15 April 2008 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 2008 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...