Fatal intrahepatic cholestasis associated with triazolam.

A 44-year-old man developed severe pruritus with jaundice which subsequently proved fatal. Liver histology showed intense cholestasis, but at postmorten the bile ducts were patent and there was no cirrhosis, the findings being consistent with a cholestatic drug reaction. The most likely precipitant was the benzodiazepine triazolam, and surveillance is indicated for any further reactions to this recently marketed hypnotic.