Hepatotoxicity Caused By Phenyramidol Hydrochloride: A Case Report

Abstract

Introduction: Drug-induced liver injury is a common cause of liver dysfunction. Phenyramidol causes a neuronal blocking effect and is used as a moderately potent non-narcotic analgesic that can be accompanied by muscle relaxant activity. In this article, a clinically asymptomatic case of hepatotoxicity is described following the intake of phenyramidol HCl tablets in a suicide attempt.
 Case Report: A 52-year-old female patient was admitted to the emergency department 24 hours after allegedly attempting suicide by ingesting 16 tablets of 400 mg phenyramidol HCI. She displayed no clinical symptoms. An abdominal examination was normal. The results of her first blood test showed: ALT at 58 U/L and AST at 55 U/L. After 24 hours, ALT and AST were measured at 594 U/L and 820 U/L, respectively. The patient, whose liver function tests regressed following symptomatic treatment administered in the gastroenterology department, was discharged 5 days later.
 Conclusion: Drug toxicities can be difficult to diagnose but becomes easier if an agent can be identified that is suspected of causing liver injury. Accordingly, phenyramidol should be considered as a drug that causes hepatotoxicity.