Conditions and symptoms
What Is Jaundice? Yellow Skin and Eyes
Jaundice · say it: JAWN-disAlso written: icterus, yellowing of the skin, yellow eyes
Short answer
Jaundice is yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, caused by a build-up of bilirubin in the blood.
What it means
Jaundice is when the skin or the whites of the eyes turn yellow. It happens when a yellow substance called bilirubin builds up in the blood. Bilirubin is made when old red blood cells break down, and the liver normally clears it into bile. Jaundice can come with dark urine, pale stools or itching.
Medicine labels list jaundice because some medicines can affect the liver or the flow of bile. Leaflets usually say to stop and contact a doctor if your skin or eyes turn yellow, because it can be an early sign of liver problems that need checking. New jaundice in an adult should be checked promptly by a doctor.
Jaundice is a sign, not a disease. It can come from the liver, from blocked bile ducts (cholestatic jaundice), or from red blood cells breaking down quickly. Jaundice in newborn babies is common and is assessed differently.
Where you may see it
- Medicine leaflets under 'Stop taking and contact your doctor'
- Clinic and hospital notes
- Blood test reports with high bilirubin
📄 How it looks on a report
If you notice yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), stop taking this medicine and contact your doctor immediately.
🙅 What it does not mean
- Jaundice is not a disease on its own. It is a sign that needs its cause found.
- It does not always mean liver damage; it has several possible causes.
- Newborn jaundice is common and is different from jaundice in adults.
🗒️ Questions to ask your doctor
💊 Medicines whose labels mention “Jaundice”
Plain-English explanations of each medicine, from its official FDA label.
- Acyclovir
An antiviral medicine of the nucleoside analogue type, used against herpesviruses
- Allopurinol
a xanthine oxidase inhibitor, a prescription medicine that acts on uric acid
- Amoxicillin and Clavulanate Potassium
A penicillin-class antibacterial combined with a beta-lactamase inhibitor, as the label describes it
- Atorvastatin
a statin, a cholesterol-lowering medicine of the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor type
- Azithromycin
a macrolide antibacterial (antibiotic) medicine
- Carbamazepine
a mood stabilizer, and an anticonvulsant (seizure) medicine, according to the label
- Cephalexin
a cephalosporin antibacterial medicine (an antibiotic that treats bacterial infections)
- Ciprofloxacin
a fluoroquinolone antibacterial medicine
- Diazepam
A benzodiazepine, a type of medicine that slows activity in the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord)
- Dolutegravir
an HIV-1 integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI), a type of HIV medicine
🔗 Read more from trusted sources
- “Jaundice” on MedlinePlus ↗
US National Library of Medicine
- NCI Dictionary definition ↗
US National Cancer Institute: “jaundice”
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