PROSPECTIVE MONITORING OF DRUG USE: DRUG-INDUCED LIVER INJURY IN A PRIMARY HEALTHCARE CENTER.

Background: Drug-induced liver injury is still misunderstood in Brazil due to diagnostic difficulties or lack of reporting incidents.

Objective: To assess the frequency of adverse events related to the use of medicines in a primary healthcare unit, in a city locate southwestern of the state of Bahia, Brazil.

Methods: Prospective study conducted at the Primary Center for Specialized Health (CEMEA), February at August of 2013 in Vitoria da Conquista, Bahia, Brazil. Interviews were conducted with patients over 18 years old, and their clinical and laboratorial data were collected. The CIOMS scale was used to validate the cases.

Results: A total of 149 patients, mainly Afro-Brazilian women, received follow-up. Among these patients, three cases of hepatotoxicity were identified, and the medicines associated to drug-induced liver injuries were: nimesulide, budesonide and valacyclovir.

Conclusion: Drug-induced liver injury is rare in primary healthcare units. It also allowed estimating the incidence of hepatotoxicity induced by allopathic medicines which are standardized by public healthcare authorities.