Drug-induced liver disease

Abstract

Drug-induced liver disease may account for between 10% and 50% of adult patients with elevated enzymes, especially in patients over age 50 years. It accounts for nearly 25% of patients with fulminant hepatic failure. Liver injury can be cytotoxic, cholestatic, or mixed. A variety of systemic manifestations can accompany drug-induced hepatotoxicity. Drug-induced liver disease can mimic autoimmune hepatitis or it can evolve to cirrhosis. It can also mimic veno-occulusive disorders. The plethora of herbal and traditional agents currently ingested by many people should always be considered in any patient with abnormal hepatic biochemistry.