These drugs include both prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications.
If you have a liver condition, taking certain medications can be risky.
This article will go over what drug-induced liver damage is.
Verywell / Tim Liedtke
If the liver isnt working well, it can lead to serious, even life-threatening, health problems.
Drug-induced liver injury is damage that happens from the use or overuse of medications or supplements.
This depends on several factors, including the drug involved and a persons individual health situation.
Complications
The liver has many important functions.
If its not working well, it can lead to problems throughout the body.
One of the livers most important jobs is breaking down and processing (metabolizing) drugs.
The list of medications below is not exhaustive.
It includes some of the most common prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs that can cause liver damage.
It is also used in creams and ointments that are used formuscle pain relief.
Acetaminophen damage can start between 24 hours and 72 hours after taking the medication.
The symptoms usually show up two to four days after you first take it.
If you think you have taken too much acetaminophen, get emergency medical care right away.
Anticonvulsants
A few drugs that are used to treatepilepsy(aseizuredisorder) can injure the liver.
However, many of these medications are older.
Newer medications that are used to treat epilepsy are rarely associated with liver damage.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are medications that are used to treat bacterial infections.
Methyldopa
Methyldopa is a medication that is used to treathigh blood pressure(hypertension).
Liver injury may show up within two to 12 weeks after starting methyldopa.
Statins
Statins are common medications that treathigh cholesterol.
Lipitor (atorvastatin) is the statin that is most commonly associated withdrug-induced liver injury.
Supplements
There are alsosupplements that can damage the liver.
They can order blood tests to see how your liver is working.
If your tests showhigher than normal levels, it may indicate liver damage.
Drug-induced liver damage is a diagnosis of exclusion.
Most cases of drug-induced liver injury will start to get better within days to weeks of stopping the medication.
It usually takes two to three months to make a full recovery.
During this time, you may get supportive care to address your symptoms.
Symptoms of liver damage will vary from person to person.
They may show up soon after you start taking a medication, but not always.
Liver damage from medications may take months or years to become apparent.
Your healthcare provider can order blood tests to check your liver function for damage.
Once they have ruled out other causes of liver damage, they will diagnose you with drug-induced liver injury.
Typically, full recovery occurs within two to three months, but this can vary depending on the person.
To avoid drug-induced liver damage, only use medications and supplements when necessary and as directed by your provider.
see to it that they know your health history and all medications you take.
Be honest with your provider about your use of alcohol.
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