Drug-Induced Hepatitis

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Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors

The liver is a complex organ, and the way it breaks down drugs differs from person to person. Therefore, many different medications can cause liver problems.

The symptoms are similar to those of viral hepatitis, which include a yellowish skin tone (jaundice), nausea, vomiting, and white or clay-colored stools. Some patients may have no symptoms.

Analgesics and antipyretics that contain acetaminophen are a common cause of liver inflammation. If you use these over-the-counter medications, never increase the dose beyond what is recommended on the bottle. These medications can damage the liver when taken in doses that are not much greater than the therapeutic dose. If you drink heavily or regularly, you should completely avoid these medications or discuss safe doses with your physician.

Other problem drugs for the liver include the general anesthetic halothane, methyldopa, isoniazid (used for the treatment of tuberculosis), methotrexate, amiodarone, and HMG CoA reductase inhibitors, which are also called statins.

Some medications can interfere with the flow of bile, which can also lead to liver inflammation. These include erythromycin, oral contraceptives, chlorpromazine, and anabolic steroids. Usually, drug-related hepatitis subsides within days or weeks after the offending drug is stopped.