Meeting abstract

https://doi.org/10.24869/spsih.2026.334

When Psychotropic Medications Become the Prime Suspect: The Diagnostic Dilemma of Acute Liver Injury

Valentin Kordić ; University Hospital Centre Osijek, Josipa Huttlera 4, 31000 Osijek, Croatia; Faculty of Medicine Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Josipa Huttlera 4, 31000 Osijek, Croatia *
Ena Bandov ; University Hospital Centre Osijek, Josipa Huttlera 4, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
Anamarija Petek Erić ; University Hospital Centre Osijek, Josipa Huttlera 4, 31000 Osijek, Croatia; Faculty of Medicine Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Josipa Huttlera 4, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
Lucija Kljaić ; “Dr. Juraj Njavro“ National Memorial Hospital, Županijska ulica 35, 32000 Vukovar, Croatia
Filip Kralik ; University Hospital Centre Osijek, Josipa Huttlera 4, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
Dunja Degmečić ; University Hospital Centre Osijek, Josipa Huttlera 4, 31000 Osijek, Croatia; Faculty of Medicine Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Josipa Huttlera 4, 31000 Osijek, Croatia

* Corresponding author.

Abstract

Hepatotoxicity associated with the use of psychotropic
medications is a rare but clinically important
adverse effect that poses a diagnostic challenge
and requires systematic differential diagnosis
and a multidisciplinary approach. This paper
presents the case of a 41-year-old female patient
treated for anxiety-depressive symptomatology
who developed acute liver injury during psychopharmacological
treatment. To clarify the etiology,
the diagnostic workup included laboratory testing,
serological testing for viral hepatitis, immunological
and radiological assessment, and pathohistological
analysis, along with a psychiatric consultative
evaluation of possible psychopharmacotherapy-
induced hepatotoxicity. The investigations and
histopathological analysis indicated acute liver injury but did not clarify the etiology of the liver
damage or confirm a possible drug-induced cause.
Despite the unresolved drug-related etiology,
gradual recovery with improvement of laboratory
parameters occurred following reduction of psychopharmacotherapy
and supportive treatment.
By presenting this case, we aim to highlight the
importance of a multidisciplinary approach and
comprehensive diagnostic workup in determining
the etiology of acute liver injury and in making
diagnostic and therapeutic decisions. Although
psychotropic medications are often implicated in
acute liver injury, their causal role cannot always
be reliably confirmed or excluded.

Keywords

psychotropic medications; hepatotoxicity; multidisciplinarity

Hrčak ID:

353021

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/353021

Publication date:

15.6.2026.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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