Psychiatry Investig.  2010 Sep;7(3):228-230.

Cholestatic Jaundice Induced by Duloxetine in a Patient with Major Depressive Disorder

• Park YM
• Lee BH
• Lee HJ
• Kang SG

Abstract

Duloxetine is a balanced and potent serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) and has adverse effects that are commonly associated with such drugs, including nausea, dry mouth, constipation, insomnia, and dizziness. Recently, duloxetine-induced liver injury has also been observed in patients with preexisting liver disease or chronic alcohol use. We investigated the effects of duloxetine in a healthy young adult with major depressive disorder (MDD) but no risk factors, and found that his total bilirubin level increased to 3.3 mg/dL and he developed jaundice after 5 months of duloxetine treatment. Discontinuation of duloxetine treatment saw his total bilirubin level decrease to 1.8 mg/dL. Thus, the administration of duloxetine might induce liver injury in a patient with MDD. However, the limitations of this single case report must be acknowledged. Although the cause of hepatic dysfunction in this case remains to be elucidated, clinicians should monitor liver function carefully after duloxetine treatment. Further investigations with a larger sample are needed.

Keyword

Duloxetine; Liver injury; Hepatic dysfunction; Hepatotoxicity; Major depressive disorder

MeSH Terms

Bilirubin
Constipation
Depressive Disorder, Major
Dizziness
Humans
Jaundice
Jaundice, Obstructive
Liver
Liver Diseases
Mouth
Nausea
Norepinephrine
Organothiophosphorus Compounds
Risk Factors
Serotonin
Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders
Thiophenes
Young Adult
Duloxetine Hydrochloride
Bilirubin
Norepinephrine
Organothiophosphorus Compounds
Serotonin
Thiophenes