Acute hepatitis due to buprenorphine administration.

Background: Buprenorphine, a synthetic molecule derived from thebaine, has been commercialized in France since 1987 as a substitute treatment for pharmacodependence on opiates. Hepatotoxicity is poorly documented, since only few cases of hepatic injury have been reported.

Methods: We report seven cases of acute cytolytic hepatitis due to buprenorphine.