ANTINUCLEAR ANTIBODY-POSITIVE TICLOPIDINE-INDUCED HEPATITIS

Ticlopidine hydrochloride has been shown to reduce the risk of first o r recurrent stroke in patients who have experienced a transient ischem ic attack, reversible ischemic neurological deficit, recurrent stroke or first stroke. Severe liver dysfunction is a contraindication for it s use. Increase in liver enzymes has been reported with use of this dr ug, but jaundice is rare. A case of severe ticlopidine-induced hepatit is that was associated with a marked increase in antinuclear antibody (ANA) levels is reported. Physicians prescribing ticlopidine hydrochlo ride should be aware that a potentially severe acute hepatitis associa ted with ANA positivity can occur. The drug should be discontinued if signs of liver dysfunction occur.