What is drug-induced hepatitis?

Drug-induced hepatitis is a redness and swelling (inflammation) of the liver that is caused by a harmful (toxic) amount of certain medicines.

The liver helps to break down certain medicines in your blood. If there is too much medicine in your blood for your liver to break down, your liver can become badly damaged. This can lead to drug-induced hepatitis.

What causes drug-induced hepatitis?

Drug-induced hepatitis is rare. It is caused when you have a harmful or toxic amount of some medicines, vitamins, herbal remedies, or food supplements.

In most cases, you may be taking a medicine for several months before it reaches a toxic level and affects your liver. But the disease can also happen if you take too much of some medicines, such as acetaminophen. In this case, it can happen quickly. Other times it is an allergic reaction.

Many types of medicines may cause drug-induced hepatitis. These include:

Pain and fever medicines that have acetaminophen

Aspirin and over-the-counter pain and fever medicines (NSAIDs or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines)

Anabolic steroids, man-made medicines that are like the male sex hormone testosterone

Some medicines used to treat bacterial infections (antibiotics)

Birth control pills (oral contraceptives)

Statins, used to lower cholesterol

Sulfa medicines, a type of antibiotic

Anti-epileptic medicines

Herbal medicines, including ephedra, Germander, Pennyroyal, and many others. Keep in mind that not all "natural" or "herbal" supplements are safe. They are also not regulated for safety.

Who is at risk for drug-induced hepatitis?

The risk for drug-induced hepatitis varies with each medicine.

You may be at higher risk for drug-induced hepatitis if you:

Have liver disease, such as from long-term alcohol use, HIV, or viral hepatitis

Drink alcohol and take medicines at the same time

Are older

Are a woman

Use long-acting or extended release medicines

Take multiple medicines that contain acetaminophen. There are many medicines both over-the-counter and prescription with acetaminophen.

Use herbal supplements

What are the symptoms of drug-induced hepatitis?

Each person’s symptoms may vary. Symptoms may include:

Belly pain

Tiredness and weakness

Fever

Nausea

Vomiting

Lack of appetite

Dark urine

Pale or clay-colored stools

Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)

The symptoms of drug-induced hepatitis may look like other health problems. Always see your healthcare provider to be sure.

How is drug-induced hepatitis diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will look at your past health and give you a physical exam.

You may have some lab blood tests, including:

Liver function tests. These check for any redness and swelling (inflammation) or damage to the liver.

These check for any redness and swelling (inflammation) or damage to the liver. Complete blood count or CBC. Looks at the number and types of cells in your blood.

Looks at the number and types of cells in your blood. Coagulation studies. These tests look at how well the liver makes proteins that cause blood to clot.

These tests look at how well the liver makes proteins that cause blood to clot. Electrolyte panel. Checks to see if you have too many or too few minerals (electrolyte imbalance) in your blood.

Checks to see if you have too many or too few minerals (electrolyte imbalance) in your blood. Other tests to evaluate for liver disease, such as viral hepatitis labs, iron studies, and others.

to evaluate for liver disease, such as viral hepatitis labs, iron studies, and others. Tests for other chemicals in your body.

Drug screening tests.

Your may also have the following tests:

Ultrasound. This is used to see your liver and check how blood is flowing through different blood vessels. High-frequency sound waves create images of your internal organs on a computer screen.

This is used to see your liver and check how blood is flowing through different blood vessels. High-frequency sound waves create images of your internal organs on a computer screen. CT scan. This is an imaging test that uses X-rays and a computer to make detailed images of the body. A CT scan shows details of the bones, muscles, fat, and organs.

This is an imaging test that uses X-rays and a computer to make detailed images of the body. A CT scan shows details of the bones, muscles, fat, and organs. MRI. This uses electromagnetic energy to create a picture of the organs.

This uses electromagnetic energy to create a picture of the organs. Liver biopsy. Small tissue samples are taken from your liver with a needle. These samples are checked under a microscope to find out the amount and type of liver damage you have.

How is drug-induced hepatitis treated?

You must stop taking the medicine that is causing the problem. You must also check your liver closely while it recovers. The liver is often able to heal itself.



In severe cases, you may need to be in the hospital as your liver heals.



In rare situations, the liver fails and you will need a liver transplant.

Some medicines may cause a slight increase in liver enzymes without any symptoms. You may not need to stop using these medicines. Talk with your healthcare provider about the risks and benefits.

What are the complications of drug-induced hepatitis?

Key points about drug-induced hepatitis

Drug-induced hepatitis is a redness and swelling (inflammation) of the liver.

It is a rare condition caused by harmful (toxic) amounts of certain medicines, vitamins, herbal remedies, or food supplements.

In most cases, you may be taking a medicine for several months before it reaches a toxic level and affects your liver.

You may also get the condition if you take too much of some medicines, such as acetaminophen. This can happen quickly.

You must stop taking the medicine that is causing the disease.

Next steps

If you don’t stop taking the medicine that is causing the problem, your liver will become more damaged. It may not recover. If this happens, you will need a liver transplant.

Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider: