The effects of perhexiline maleate (Pexid) and alcohol on rat liver.

Perhexiline maleate is an anti-anginal drug believed to cause liver damage. The possibility that this effect could be potentiated by alcohol has been investigated. Rats fed both the drug and alcohol did not show more severe liver damage than those fed alcohol alone. Livers from rats fed perhexiline alone did not differ from controls. There is no evidence from this study that alcohol potentiates the effect of perhexiline in rat liver. These results may have a bearing in perhexiline-induced liver damage in humans, but clinical studies are required.