Conditions and symptoms
What Is Cholestatic Jaundice? Bile Flow Problems Explained
Cholestatic jaundice · say it: koh-luh-STAT-ik JAWN-disAlso written: cholestasis, obstructive jaundice, cholestatic hepatitis
Short answer
Cholestatic jaundice is yellowing of the skin or eyes caused by a slowed or blocked flow of bile from the liver.
What it means
Bile is a fluid made by the liver that flows through small tubes (bile ducts) into the gut. In cholestasis, this flow slows or stops, and bilirubin builds up in the blood, causing jaundice. Cholestatic jaundice often comes with itching, dark urine and pale stools. It can be caused by gallstones, other blockages, liver conditions or some medicines.
Labels for some medicines, including some antibiotics such as amoxicillin-clavulanate, some hormone medicines and some others, list cholestatic jaundice or cholestatic hepatitis as a rare side effect. It may appear during treatment or even some weeks after stopping. The warning is telling you to report yellowing of the skin or eyes, itching, dark urine or pale stools to a doctor promptly.
Cholestatic jaundice is one type of jaundice. Other types come from damage to liver cells themselves or from rapid breakdown of red blood cells. Blood tests and sometimes a scan help tell them apart.
Where you may see it
- The 'Adverse reactions' section of some antibiotic labels
- Leaflets under 'Liver problems'
- Liver function test reports with high ALP and bilirubin
📄 How it looks on a report
Hepatic dysfunction, including cholestatic jaundice, has been reported and may occur after treatment has stopped.
🙅 What it does not mean
- It does not always mean a medicine is the cause; gallstones and other conditions are common causes.
- It can appear after you have finished a medicine, so it is still worth mentioning.
- It is not the same as hepatitis from a virus.
🗒️ Questions to ask your doctor
💊 Medicines whose labels mention “Cholestatic jaundice”
Plain-English explanations of each medicine, from its official FDA label.
- Amoxicillin and Clavulanate Potassium
A penicillin-class antibacterial combined with a beta-lactamase inhibitor, as the label describes it
- Azithromycin
a macrolide antibacterial (antibiotic) medicine
- Cephalexin
a cephalosporin antibacterial medicine (an antibiotic that treats bacterial infections)
- Estradiol
An estrogen hormone medicine
- Nitrofurantoin
an antibacterial medicine of the nitrofuran type, used for urinary tract infections
- Warfarin Sodium
A blood thinner (anticoagulant) of the vitamin K antagonist type. The label says it acts by blocking vitamin K-dependent clotting factors.
🔗 Read more from trusted sources
- “Cholestatic jaundice” on MedlinePlus ↗
US National Library of Medicine
- NCI Dictionary definition ↗
US National Cancer Institute: “cholestasis”
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