Hepatotoxicity induced by a second-generation combined oral contraceptive: case report and review of the literature

• Published in: The European journal of contraception & reproductive health care 2019-08, Vol.24 (4), p.322-324
• Main Authors: Stannov, Søs U, Ries, Annedorte, Bang, Ulrich C
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biopsy; Birth control; Case reports; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury - diagnosis; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury - etiology; Contraceptives, Oral, Combined - adverse effects; Ethinyl Estradiol - adverse effects; Female; Humans; Levonorgestrel - adverse effects; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1362-5187; 1473-0782
• DOI: 10.1080/13625187.2019.1602722

Second-generation combined oral contraceptives (COCs) are widely used and are believed to be safe for birth control and in the treatment of gynaecological diseases. No randomised controlled study has shown elevations in alanine transaminase (ALT) levels in relation to the use of a second-generation COC. We report a case of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) in a young, moderately obese woman, due to the use of a second-generation COC containing 30 µg ethinylestradiol and 150 µg levonorgestrel. COC use had been initiated 2 years prior to admission to our department. The diagnosis was based on elevated levels of ALT during COC use and was confirmed by re-challenge and a liver biopsy showing signs of former tissue damage after a 3 week break of COC treatment. To our knowledge, this is the first case of biopsy-proven DILI due to COC use in which a re-challenge was performed.