Elevated Transaminases with Topical Diclofenac: A Case Report

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) has been described with numerous nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Oral diclofenac has been associated with DILI more frequently than other NSAIDs and requires periodic monitoring of liver transaminases and judicious consideration of clinical signs and symptoms of hepatotoxicity. Here we describe a case in which elevated liver transaminases in a 79-year-old female returned to normal following discontinuation of topical diclofenac 1% gel. Using a widely accepted drug reaction causality instrument, a rating of "definite" was assigned given the temporal sequence of drug exposure and transaminase changes. Further study is warranted to better guide prescribing of topical NSAIDs.