raised ALT and use of oral hypoglycaemic medication

Last reviewed 01/2018

  • hepatic impairment is a contraindication to many different medications. Of note in diabetes, is the use of glitazones in the case of hepatic impairment associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
    • the first glitazone, thioglitazone, was withdrawn from use after deaths occurred secondary to hepatic failure. However now there is evidence that glitazones are an effective treatment in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
    • the use of glitazone therapy in patients with abnormal liver function tests should only be used on specialist advice (1)

Reference:

  1. Personal Communication (February 9th 2006). Aresh Anwar, Consultant Diabetologist, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire.