Conditions and symptoms
What Is Hepatotoxicity? Liver Damage Warnings Explained
Hepatotoxicity · say it: hep-uh-toe-tok-SIS-ih-teeAlso written: liver toxicity, drug-induced liver injury, DILI, hepatic injury
Short answer
Hepatotoxicity means damage to the liver caused by a medicine, chemical or supplement.
What it means
Hepatotoxicity is liver damage caused by something taken into the body, such as a medicine, herbal supplement, alcohol or chemical. The liver processes many medicines, which is why it can sometimes be harmed. Signs may include tiredness, nausea, pain under the right ribs, dark urine, pale stools or yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice).
Labels warn about hepatotoxicity so that problems are noticed early. Some medicines need liver blood tests before and during treatment. Others, such as paracetamol (acetaminophen), carry warnings about taking more than directed or combining with alcohol. The warning is telling you to keep to the directions and to report symptoms like yellowing skin or dark urine.
Hepatotoxicity is a cause of liver injury, while hepatitis means inflammation of the liver, which can have many causes, including viruses. Raised liver enzymes on a blood test can be a sign of either, but can also have other explanations.
Where you may see it
- The 'Warnings' section of labels, including some boxed warnings
- Paracetamol/acetaminophen 'Liver warning'
- Liver function test reports and clinic letters
📄 How it looks on a report
Liver warning: This product contains acetaminophen. Severe liver damage may occur if you take more than the maximum daily amount.
🙅 What it does not mean
- It does not mean the medicine will damage your liver. Most people take these medicines without liver problems.
- A small rise in liver tests does not always mean liver damage; your doctor will interpret it.
- Herbal or natural products can also cause liver problems; 'natural' does not mean free of risk.
🎯 Check yourself
Which of these is the right meaning of “Hepatotoxicity”?
🗒️ Questions to ask your doctor
💊 Medicines whose labels mention “Hepatotoxicity”
Plain-English explanations of each medicine, from its official FDA label.
- Allopurinol
a xanthine oxidase inhibitor, a prescription medicine that acts on uric acid
- Divalproex Sodium
An anti-epileptic (anti-seizure) drug of the valproate type. The label also uses it to treat manic episodes of bipolar disorder and to prevent migraine headaches.
- Dolutegravir
an HIV-1 integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI), a type of HIV medicine
- Doxycycline
a tetracycline-class antibacterial medicine (an antibiotic)
- Fluconazole
an azole antifungal medicine, a type of medicine that treats fungal (yeast) infections
- Lamivudine
An antiviral medicine of the nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitor type, used here for hepatitis B
- Methotrexate
A dihydrofolate reductase inhibitor, a type of medicine that works against folate (a vitamin-like substance cells use to grow and divide). The FDA pharmacologic class is not listed on the label.
- Naproxen
a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), which is a medicine that reduces pain, swelling, and inflammation
- Rifampin
an antibiotic of the rifamycin type
- Spironolactone
An aldosterone antagonist, a type of prescription medicine the FDA classifies this way
🔗 Read more from trusted sources
- “Hepatotoxicity” on MedlinePlus ↗
US National Library of Medicine
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