抄録
An α-Glucosidase inhibitor, acarbose, offers a novel approach in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Although several symptoms of the digestive system are known to be side effects of acarbose, severe hepatic disease has also been reported. In this case, the alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level was observed to progressively increase after the administration of acarbose. There is little doubt that the patient suffered a drug-induced hepatic injury. In order to clarify the etiology of this increase in ALT, a drug-induced lymphocyte stimulation test and hepatitis virus marker test were performed and the administration of acarbose was discontinued. All laboratory tests showed negative results, and at 40 days after the administration, the ALT level was found to be near the normal range. A clinical pharmacist should monitor the parameters to assess the response and to document the absence of any side effects.
