A Case Report of Methimazole-Induced Acute Liver Failure Successfully Treated with Liver Transplantation / 대한내과학회지

ABSTRACT

Antithyroid drugs inhibit the synthesis and excretion of thyroid hormone from the thyroid gland. Propylthiouracil (PTU) and methimazole are well known as antithyroid drugs. In 2011, the American Thyroid Association and American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists published management guidelines for hyperthyroidism and other causes of thyrotoxicosis, and recommended methimazole as the first-choice antithyroid drug for the treatment of hyperthyroidism. Lower hepatotoxicity is an advantage of methimazole. Fulminant hepatitis rarely occurs in methimazole users, and spontaneous recovery is expected even if it does occur. We describe a rare case of acute liver failure after methimazole intake in a 60-year-old man who underwent liver transplantation.