Ciprofloxacin-Induced Hepatocellular Injury in an Elderly Patient With Polypharmacy and Multiple Comorbidities.
Publication/Presentation Date
3-1-2026
Abstract
Ciprofloxacin is a widely prescribed fluoroquinolone antibiotic that may cause transient aminotransferase elevations, although clinically significant drug-induced liver injury remains rare. We present a 72-year-old woman with multiple comorbidities who developed worsening transaminitis shortly after ciprofloxacin initiation for a urinary tract infection. The patient was recently hospitalized for rhabdomyolysis-associated acute kidney injury with improving liver enzymes prior to antibiotic exposure. After four doses of ciprofloxacin, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase increased, while bilirubin remained normal. Given the temporal association and absence of alternative hepatic pathology, ciprofloxacin-induced hepatocellular injury was suspected. Discontinuation of the medication resulted in prompt improvement in liver enzymes. This case highlights the importance of recognizing ciprofloxacin-associated hepatotoxicity, particularly in medically complex patients, and emphasizes early discontinuation to prevent progression of liver injury.
Volume
18
Issue
3
First Page
104858
Last Page
104858
ISSN
2168-8184
Published In/Presented At
Chamlagai, R., Tahsin, A., Halperin, D., & Weinberger, R. (2026). Ciprofloxacin-Induced Hepatocellular Injury in an Elderly Patient With Polypharmacy and Multiple Comorbidities. Cureus, 18(3), e104858. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.104858
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences
PubMedID
41952946
Department(s)
Medical Education
Document Type
Article