Drug-induced hepatitis is inflammation of the liver caused by medications, especially when used in excess or without medical advice, especially those that have the capacity to cause liver irritation, such as Paracetamol or Nimesulide, increasing the risk of acute hepatitis or fulminant hepatitis, for example.
The development of medicinal hepatitis may be related, in some cases, to the excessive use of some medications or their toxicity, which causes the medicine to directly reach the liver cells. In other cases, drug-induced hepatitis may occur due to the person’s hypersensitivity to a certain medication.
Medicinal hepatitis is not transmissible, as it is only caused by the use of substances that harm the functioning of the liver. Learn more about hepatitis.
Main symptoms
The main symptoms of medical hepatitis are:
- Low fever;
- Yellowish color to the skin and the whites of the eyes;
- Itching on the body;
- Pain on the right side of the abdomen;
- Nausea;
- Vomiting;
- Discomfort;
- Urine dark like the color of Coca-Cola;
- Light-colored stools like clay or putty.
It is important that the symptoms of medical hepatitis are identified quickly, as when treatment is carried out in the early stages of the disease, it is possible to control the symptoms and reduce liver inflammation.
Hepatitis Symptoms Online Test
If you suspect you may have some type of hepatitis, select what you are experiencing to find out your risk:
The symptom test is only a guidance tool and does not serve as a diagnosis or replace consultation with a hepatologist or general practitioner.
How the diagnosis is made
When drug-induced hepatitis is suspected, the doctor normally requests a hepatogram, which corresponds to a group of blood tests that are requested to evaluate the functioning of the liver, with the tests performed being TGO, TGP, GGT, albumin, bilirubin, lactate dehydrogenase and prothrombin time.
These tests are usually requested together and provide important information about the condition of the liver, being altered when there is an injury, as they are very sensitive markers, in addition to requesting blood levels of medications that are suspected to have caused the hepatitis.
In addition to these tests, the doctor may also order a liver biopsy to help diagnose and differentiate it from other types of hepatitis. See more about tests that evaluate the liver.
Make an appointment with your nearest doctor to assess your liver in more detail and begin treatment:
Taking care of your health has never been easier!
Causes of medicinal hepatitis
Medicinal hepatitis can be caused by medications such as:
- Analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugssuch as paracetamol, acetylsalicylic acid or ibuprofen;
- Antibioticssuch as amoxicillin+clavulanate, tetracyclines, ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, rifampicin or isoniazid;
- Cardiovascular remediessuch as amiodarone, methyldopa and statins;
- Medicines that act on the central nervous systemsuch as phenytoin, valproic acid, tolcapone, or tricyclic antidepressants;
- Diabetes medicinessuch as rosiglitazone or pioglitazone;
- Hormonessuch as contraceptive pills, anabolic steroids or testosterone;
- Anestheticssuch as halothane;
- Antineoplastics for the treatment of cancersuch as methotrexate.
Furthermore, toxic products used in an industrial environment or medicinal plants, such as green tea or valerian extract, can also lead to the development of medicinal hepatitis.
In some rare cases, Roaccutane, a medicine used to treat severe acne, can cause drug-induced hepatitis, but this disappears when the dose of the medicine is reduced or discontinued.
It is important to highlight that drug-induced hepatitis does not occur in everyone who takes these medications, but rather in those who are more sensitive to them or who have used them in large doses, causing toxicity to the liver.
Can the use of Ivermectin cause medicinal hepatitis?
Drug-induced hepatitis is an uncommon complication, however, it tends to occur in people who use medication in high doses, for a period of time longer than recommended and without medical advice.
Since ivermectin is indicated for the acute treatment of parasite infections, it is not known what its effects may be when used very frequently or for a long term. Therefore, if used incorrectly, it is possible that ivermectin could cause medicinal hepatitis. Ideally, ivermectin should always be used under the guidance of a doctor, strictly following the recommended dose and treatment time.
How to avoid medical hepatitis
To prevent medical hepatitis, it is important to only use medications prescribed by your doctor and never exceed the recommended doses.
Furthermore, people who work in industrial environments and are exposed to toxic products on a daily basis must wear appropriate clothing and masks to avoid inhaling these products, avoiding liver irritation and the development of drug-induced hepatitis.
How the treatment is carried out
Treatment for medical hepatitis consists of immediately discontinuing the medication or exposure to any toxic substance that may have caused the disease.
When this measure is not enough, the doctor may prescribe the use of corticosteroids for a period of approximately 2 months or until liver tests return to normal. Normally after 1 to 3 years the patient must be examined again to assess the condition of his liver.
What to eat for medical hepatitis
The diet for medical hepatitis consists of drinking plenty of water and increasing the consumption of natural foods such as vegetables, fruits and cereals, reducing the consumption of foods rich in fat and alcoholic beverages. See more details on the hepatitis diet.
This type of food is important to facilitate liver detoxification, as these types of foods are more easily digested and the liver is less stressed.
