What is Hepatotoxicity? – Explained!

What is Hepatotoxicity? – Hepatotoxicity is also known as Toxic liver disease, technically called drug-induced liver injury (DILI), results in liver damage. If it’s left without proper treatment , it can cause severe symptoms or serious liver damage.

Hepatotoxicity can be caused by different types of substances, such as particular medications, herbal supplements, chemicals, solvents, & alcohol. Learn What is Hepatotoxicity in this article below.

When does Toxic Liver Disease occur and How does it Proceed?

Toxic liver disease occurs when harmful substances cause inflammation and liver impairment.. Your liver has a crucial role in filtering everything that enters your body, including alcohol, drugs, and chemicals. It processes these substances, allowing you to eliminate toxins through urine or bile.

However, throughout this filtering process, harmful toxins can sometimes form and inflame the liver, causing severe damage. The severity of toxic liver disease can vary, ranging from mild to severe. Prolonged inflammation and damage can lead to permanent scarring or cirrhosis, which later can cause total liver failure or even death. In extreme cases, such as with excessive Paracetamol use, even short-term exposure can cause liver failure.

Symptoms and Causes

You can experience several symptoms, including:

• Fever
• Diarrhea
• Dark colored urine
• Itching
• Jaundice
• Mild to Severe Headaches
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Stomach pain
• Vomiting
• Weight loss
• White or gray stools

Some of these symptoms can appear within hours of exposure to the cause. Also, you may notice a progressive worsening over several days or weeks with continuous exposure.

There are various causes of Toxic liver disease. Here are the causes where some are obvious when compared to others.

1. Medications: Most over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications can cause toxic liver disease.
   • OTC Pain Relievers:
     • Paracetamol in high doses
     • (NSAIDs) such as Diclofenac, aspirin, and Ibuprofen
   • Prescription Drugs:
     • Some types of Antibiotics
     • Antifungal medications
     • Steroids
     • Medication for arthritis
     • Antiviral drugs for HIV
2. Chemotherapy: Usually used for treatment of cancer, these drugs can be toxic to the liver.
3. Herbal Supplements: Though herbs are natural it can be dangerous for the liver. Be cautious with supplements containing Giloy, aloe vera, black cohosh, ashwagandha, etc.
4. Chemicals: Exposure to certain workplace/industrial chemicals can damage the liver. Some examples are vinyl chloride(plastic usage), carbon tetrachloride (dry clean agent), paraquat (known as a weed killer), and polychlorinated biphenyls.

Learning about these potential causes is extremely important for preventing and treating toxic liver disease.

What Increases the Risk of Toxic Liver Disease?

You can develop toxic liver disease if the following conditions match in your case::

• You frequently overuse OTC pain relievers, especially with chronic alcohol use.
• You already have some other liver condition, such as cirrhosis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, or hepatitis.
• You constantly consume alcohol while taking specific medications or supplements.
• Your work involves exposure to harmful industrial chemicals.
• You are older in age.
• Your gender is female.
• You have a genetic mutation that targets your liver’s functionality.

Diagnosis

If you still experience any symptoms associated with toxic liver disease and have risk factors, it is important to see your doctor immediately.

Your hepatologist or consulting physician will perform a thorough medical examination and quickly review your symptoms and your complete medical history. Make sure to inform them if you use any drugs or herbal supplements, consume alcohol, or are exposed to chemicals at the workplace.

Diagnostic tests for toxic liver disease may include:

• Blood Work: These check liver enzyme levels to assess liver function.
• Ultrasound: The imaging test used sound waves to produce minutely informational images of your liver.
• CT Scans: An X-ray machine rotates around your body, providing cross-sectional images to a computer.
• Liver biopsy: A tissue sample from your liver is checked under a microscope to detect severe liver disease.

Treatment

Doctors use different methods to treat toxic liver disease:

1. Stop Exposure: Here the first step is stopping exposure to the toxic substance. This may include:
   • Changing your medications
   • Avoiding harmful herbal supplements or chemicals
   • Abstaining or completely stopping the intake of alcohol to reduce liver stress.

Symptoms mostly get better within a few days once the exposure is stopped.

2. Acetylcysteine: If Paracetamol overdose is suspected as the cause of liver disease, seek urgent medical attention to get this drug. It can help prevent further liver damage.
3. Hospital Care: At the hospital, you can receive treatments to manage your symptoms, such as IV fluids for dehydration or anti-nausea medication.
4. Liver Transplant: This last resort is considered for cases of severe liver damage.

Prevention

While it’s impossible to predict which drugs or chemicals might cause toxic liver disease, you can take steps to minimize your risk:

1. Medication Use: Take requisite medications and strictly follow your doctor’s instructions. OR Only follow and consume according to the prescribed dosage on the package if approved by the doctor.
2. Herbal Supplements: Avoid taking supplements with herbs that could harm your liver. You should check labels on natural treatments and consult your doctor before use.
3. Paracetamols/Other Painkillers and Alcohol: Never exceed the recommended dose of Paracetamol if you consume alcohol. Taking the normal dose is generally safe if you’ve been drinking, but always ask your doctor or pharmacist about the mixture of medicines and alcohol.
4. Chemical Exposure: Follow safety guidelines when handling chemicals or solvents at work. Reduce or avoid exposure whenever possible.
5. Child Safety: Firmly secure store drugs and chemicals to prevent children from using them, because their smaller size increases their risk of liver toxicity.

Conclusion

You may have now understood What hepatotoxicity is and its severe consequences for your health.

If you are suffering from Liver-related ailments in Chennai, call a Hepatologist today for Consultation.