Double-blind, controlled trial of propylthiouracil in patients with severe acute alcoholic hepatitis.

Sixty-seven patients entered a double-blind, controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of propylthiouracil treatment in severe alcoholic hepatitis. Twenty-three percent (7 of 31) given propylthiouracil and 19% (7 of 36) given placebo died during the 6-wk study. Propylthiouracil treatment did not reduce the frequency and incidence of complications in alcoholic hepatitis, but induced hypothyroidism in 4 patients. Treatment produced no beneficial effect on any of the hepatic biochemical tests. We were unable to show any beneficial effect of propylthiouracil treatment on morbidity and mortality in patients with severe acute alcoholic hepatitis.