Kakizaki Satoru, Suzuki Hideyuki, Ichikawa Takeshi, Sato Ken, Takagi Hitoshi, Mori Masatomo, Yuasa Keiichiro
Department of Medicine and Molecular Science, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine.
Nihon Shokakibyo Gakkai Zasshi. 2009 Oct;106(10):1488-93.
We recently encountered a case of autoimmune hepatitis whose symptoms worsened after switching from a brand name to a generic version of prednisolone. The patient was a 46-year-old woman. She was admitted because of elevation of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels during follow-up sessions. We diagnosed worsening of autoimmune hepatitis and increased the medication dose of prednisolone, which resulted in a quick normalization of serum ALT levels. When the prednisolone medication was switched from a brand name to a generic version, the serum ALT levels again increased. We concluded that switching from a brand name to generic version of the drug was one of reasons for the elevation in the serum ALT levels. Although most generic drugs are considered to be useful, it is important to carefully observe patients to confirm that an equivalent effect is obtained after switching from a brand name to a generic drug.
