Literature Review of 24 Cases with Methimazole-induced Cholestatic Liver Injury

OBJECTIVE To analyze the characteristics and general patterns of cholestatic liver injury by methimazole and provide a reference for clinical use. METHODS To retrieve the cases of the patients with cholestatic liver injury (jaundice) by methimazole in domestic and foreign literature database and analyze the cases. RESULTS A total of 24 patients in eight cases were reported. Among the patients, there were 1 male and 23 females, and 8 female(33.33%) were 48-58 years old, 7 female(29.17%) were 37-47 years old. There was no difference between the treatment of single dose of methimazole and combination which induced cholestatic liver injury incidence rate (25.00% vs 25.00%, P>0.05). The induction period was mainly from 21 to 35 days(58.33%), followed by 7-21 days(37.50%). According to Naranjo's score, there were 4 cases (16.67%) of cholestatic liver injury certainly induced by methimazole, and 20 cases probably induced by methimazole. CONCLUSION Middle-aged women with hyperthyroidism are the high risk group of liver injury caused by methimazole. It should be monitored in the medium and short term, and avoid or reduce the occurrence of drug-induced cholestasis liver injury.