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Case Reports
. 2023 May 8;13(3):108-112.
doi: 10.55729/2000-9666.1190. eCollection 2023.

Topical Diclofenac-Induced Hepatotoxicity

Thilini Delungahawatta  1 , Ashik Pokharel  1 , Robert Paz  2 , Christopher J Haas  1   2   3
Affiliations
Case Reports

Topical Diclofenac-Induced Hepatotoxicity

Thilini Delungahawatta et al. J Community Hosp Intern Med Perspect. .

Abstract

The hepatotoxic potential of diclofenac, a commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent, is well established in literature. However, cases of diclofenac-induced liver disease have occurred almost exclusively with the oral formulation of this medication. We report the case of an elderly man with Paget's disease and osteoarthritis who developed acute hepatotoxicity, as evidenced by laboratory diagnostics, four months after use of topical diclofenac 1% gel. Once diclofenac gel was discontinued, repeat blood work three weeks after discharge demonstrated return of liver function tests to baseline. Given the temporal relationship between the initiation and escalation of topical diclofenac and the changes in liver function tests, the likelihood of diclofenac-induced liver injury was deemed possible using a well-recognized causality assessment tool. Further research on topically administered non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents is needed to identify monitoring intervals for early detection and avoidance of adverse effects in patients using topical diclofenac.

Keywords: Acute liver injury; Adverse drug reaction; Diclofenac; Drug-induced liver injury; Hepatotoxicity; Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; Topical.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest All authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Timeline of hepatic enzymatic derangements with topical diclofenac use.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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