Acute liver failure requiring transplantation caused by ulipristal acetate

Abstract

Ulipristal has recently been suspected to be hepatotoxic by the European Medicines Agency but the evidence base for hepatotoxicity is sparse. This is a brief formal report of a patient administered ulipristal for 6-8 weeks and who developed acute liver failure leading to liver transplantation. The explanted liver showed extensive hepatocyte necrosis and inflammation compatible with drug-induced liver injury and cirrhosis. The usual causes of acute hepatitis and cirrhosis were eliminated. There were no other potential causative drugs. This case suggests that ulipristal may cause acute hepatitis, with pre-existing cirrhosis probably contributing to the severity of liver injury observed in this case. Ulipristal prescribers must remain vigilant and monitor liver function in their patients.