Interstitial Nephritis, Thrombocytopenia, Hepatitis, and Elevated Serum Amylase Levels in a Patient Receiving Clarithromycin Therapy

Abstract

We describe a patient who developed acute interstitial nephritis shortly after starting treatment with clarithromycin (Biaxin; Abbott Laboratories, Chicago, IL). It was accompanied by thrombocytopenia, hepatitis, and an elevated amylase level. Nephritis cleared with administration of prednisolone. This may be the first case of combined interstitial nephritis, thrombocytopenia, hepatitis, and elevated amylase levels after use of clarithromycin. These features point to an allergic reaction.