Drug-induced liver injury during a glaucoma neuroprotection clinical trial

Key Takeaways

• Nicotinamide was associated with liver injury in a clinical trial evaluating it for the treatment of glaucoma. 
• Investigators, physicians, and patients should remain vigilant about drug-induced liver injury as they seek novel vision-preserving neuroprotective therapies.

There are over 1300 subjects in ongoing, worldwide clinical trials being given nicotinamide (a specific form of vitamin B3) as a therapeutic neuroprotective treatment for glaucoma. New research by Aakriti Shukla and colleagues describes a serious adverse event of drug-induced liver injury likely related to the use of the above amount per day of nicotinamide in a glaucoma clinical trial based in the U.S.  This report is important to share with the medical community, as other subjects in glaucoma nicotinamide trials globally may have similar adverse events and many other people are using nicotinamide as a health supplement without medical supervision. The researchers recommend that investigators, physicians, and patients remain vigilant about drug-induced liver injury as they seek novel vision-preserving neuroprotective therapies.

Edited by Dawn Wilcox, BSN, RN

Source: Shukla, A et al, Journal of Glaucoma. Mar 28, 2024, doi: 10.1097/IJG.0000000000002394