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Hepatic necrosis caused by furosemide

Abstract

FUROSEMIDE (frusemide) is a diuretic drug frequently used in the treatment of many cardiovascular and renal diseases. Its use is contraindicated in pregnancy because of its recognised teratogenic potential1. The drug also has been reported to potentiate renal injury when used in combination with cephaloridine2,3. Here we report that this widely prescribed therapeutic agent is converted by microsomal enzymes in the liver of mice and humans to a reactive arylating metabolite that produces massive hepatic necrosis in mice.

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MITCHELL, J., POTTER, W., HINSON, J. et al. Hepatic necrosis caused by furosemide. Nature 251, 508–511 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1038/251508a0

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