A case of Stevens-Johnson syndrome, cholestatic hepatitis and haemolytic anaemia associated with use of mefenamic acid

Abstract

A woman with a history of drug allergy, renal impairment and carcinoma of the breast with pulmonary micrometastases developed haemolytic anaemia and Stevens-Johnson syndrome following the use of mefenamic acid, paracetamol (acetaminophen) and furosemide (frusemide). In addition there was severe cholestatic hepatitis in the absence of clinical evidence of sepsis, biliary obstruction or recurrent metastases. The rash resolved on steroid therapy but the patient eventually died from both renal and liver failure. Acute tubular necrosis with a background of chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis was also found at autopsy. Although in the presence of multiple drug therapy the causative agent cannot be identified with absolute certainty, the association of these severe idiosyncratic hepatic and dermatological reactions with haemolytic anaemia strongly suggests mefenamic acid as the most likely culprit.