Liver abnormalities in penicillamine treated rheumatoid arthritis.

Liver enzymes were followed in 99 patients treated with D-penicillamine for rheumatoid arthritis. In six abnormalities were found which consisted of elevated levels of lactic dehydrogenase. ALAT/ASAT, alkaline phosphatases or combinations of these. The changes were reversible on stopping the drug with one possible exception. No evidence of biliary cirrhosis, chronic active hepatitis or HBag-associated hepatitis was found. Liver biopsy was performed in 4 cases--one was taken 2 months after the treatment was discontinued, and was normal. One biopsy showed mild inflammatory changes, whereas in two histologic evidence of toxic liver necrosis was present. Liver damage should be included among possible complications of D-PA treatment.