The aims of this study were to characterize voriconazole hepatotoxicity in patients with severe liver dysfunction and to compare it with a matched cohort treated with liposomal amphotericin B.
This is an observational study, in which adults patients treated with at least 4 doses of voriconazole were included. Patients treated with liposomal amphotericin B were used as control group.
Sixty nine percent of patients treated with voriconazole showed changes in liver function tests (LFTs) during therapy. They showed elevated transaminases in 35 % , cholestasis in 15 % or a combination of both in 45 % . According to the CTC classification, all patients with hepatotoxicity had a severe reaction. The Roussel Uclaf Causality Assessment Method score in all patients with hepatotoxicity was greater than 8. There was a correlation between initial loading dose greater than 300?mg (4.5?mg/kg) and the risk of hepatotoxicity (p?<?0.001). The control group developed alterations in the LFTs in only 10.3 % of patients.
Voriconazole should be used with caution in patients with severe liver dysfunction and following liver transplantation, with frequent monitoring of LFTs or using liposomal amphotericin B instead.