Hepatotoxicity is a state of toxic damage to the liver. Drug-induced toxicity is the leading cause of acute liver failure in the United States. Antidotes are available for only a few hepatotoxins with one being N-acetylcysteine for acetaminophen overdose, which is a common drug most often associated with hepatotoxicity. Drug hepatotoxicity is rare and may not occur during clinical trials due to limited participants, compared to the number of consumers once the drug is on the market. Signs and symptoms can vary from fatigue, nausea, upper quadrant abdominal pain, loss of appetite, to jaundice. Adults are more susceptible to hepatotoxicity than children, and women are more susceptible than men. Some products can increase the risk for hepatotoxicity. For example, grapefruit juice induces hepatic enzymes and enzymes inducers enhance hepatotoxicity. Chronic alcohol abuse also increases risk because it lowers the level of liver proteins, which help metabolize drugs. Liver function tests provide more information for making a hepatotoxicity diagnosis. When evaluating test results or looking for signs and symptoms, any medications the patient is taking must be taken into account, including prescription drugs, over-the-counters, and herbals.
References
The New England Journal of Medicine, (February 1, 2006)
http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/extract/354/7/731
Pubmed.gov
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17451560?ordinalpos=2&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DefaultReportPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum
I didn't know much of this. I learned more about hepatotoxicitiy after reading this post! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteWow...I didn't learn about this in any of my classes. This is good information to know about.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that women are more susceptible than men are! I wonder why?
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"Drug induced toxicity is the leading cause of acute liver failure in the United States" I had no idea, I'm also shocked that certain food products such as grapefruit juice can enhance hepatotoxicity. Thanks for the info!"
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According to the Mayo Clinic, women metabolize certain toxins slower than men therefore, their livers are exposed to higher blood concentrations of harmful substances for longer periods of time.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.mayoclinic.com/print/toxic-hepatitis/DS00811/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
Didn't know anything about Hepatotoxcity until now. It's so surprising that its more suspecptible in women than men. Learn something new everyday. Thanks for the information!
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