Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) for the treatment of amoxycillin-clavulanate potassium (Augmentin (R))-induced intra-hepatic cholestasis: report of two cases

This report describes two patients who developed jaundice within two weeks of receiving an amoxycillin - clavulanate potassium combination. Causes of jaundice, other than drug administration, were excluded. The patients' jaundice and clinical symptoms did not respond to stopping the drug. Ursodeoxycholic acid (750 mg/day) led to a prompt and sustained improvement in their hyperbilirubinaemia and symptoms such as pruritus and fatigue. These cases suggest that ursodeoxycholic acid may be an effective treatment for drug-associated cholestasis, Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 12:365 - 368 (C) 2000 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.