Drug-induced liver injury

Drug-induced liver injury (pronounced: druhg-in-doost liv-er in-juh-ree) is a condition that occurs when the liver is damaged by a drug or medication. This damage can range from mild to severe, and in some cases, it can lead to life-threatening complications such as liver failure or liver cirrhosis.

Etymology

The term "drug-induced" comes from the English words "drug" and "induced". "Drug" is derived from the Old French "drogue", possibly deriving later into 'droge-vate' from Middle Dutch meaning 'dry barrels', referring to medicinal plants preserved in them. "Induced" is derived from the Latin word "inducere", which means "to lead in". "Liver injury" refers to damage or harm to the liver.

Causes

Drug-induced liver injury can be caused by a wide variety of drugs and medications. Some of the most common include acetaminophen, statins, antibiotics, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). However, any drug or medication has the potential to cause liver injury if it is used inappropriately or in excessive amounts.

Symptoms

The symptoms of drug-induced liver injury can vary widely depending on the severity of the damage and the specific drug or medication involved. Common symptoms may include jaundice, fatigue, nausea, and abdominal pain. In severe cases, symptoms may also include confusion, coma, and other signs of liver failure.

Treatment

Treatment for drug-induced liver injury typically involves discontinuing the drug or medication that caused the damage and providing supportive care to help the liver heal. In severe cases, a liver transplant may be necessary.

Related Terms

• Hepatotoxicity
• Liver function tests
• Hepatitis
• Cholestasis

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Drug-induced liver injury
• Wikipedia's article - Drug-induced liver injury

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