What Medications May Cause Liver Damage?

The liver may be a vital organ. However, it appears that many individuals deal with liver damage. In fact, millions of them may die from it every year. Many medications and supplements seem to be linked to liver damage. They may even cause liver failure in some cases. Cirrhosis of the liver appears to happen as well. Unfortunately, many individuals may not know about this risk with some common medications.

Natural remedies for liver damage seem to include following a healthy diet and exercising. However, some patients appear to need surgery for liver damage. Some doctors may recommend medications for hepatitis as a liver damage treatment. Ultimately, the best treatment for liver damage seems to be to stop taking medications and supplements that may be contributing to it.

Antibiotics

Some antibiotics may cause liver failure and cirrhosis. It seems that when they do, patients may have taken the antibiotics for a long time. However, it may also happen after one dose. This seems to be more common in older men, though it may happen in younger patients too.

Some antibiotics appear to cause drug-induced autoimmune hepatitis in acne patients. Others may cause this in other individuals, including Crohn's disease patients. However, it seems that once patients stop taking antibiotics, they recover quickly. Patients who need antibiotics and intravenous nutrition may be at a higher risk of liver damage.

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Acetaminophen

Acetaminophen appears to be the most common cause of liver failure due to medication. It may destroy healthy liver cells. This may trigger inflammation and damage. Patients who take more than twelve grams at a time seem to be at the highest risk of liver failure. This may happen even one or two days after taking a high dose. However, damage may also happen when individuals take smaller doses over an extended period. Children seem to deal with this risk as well as adults. This may be because this medication appears to be the most common fever reducer.

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Niacin

Niacin may be found in different foods. It also appears to be a common vitamin B3 supplement. This vitamin may help with several health conditions, such as high cholesterol. However, reports seem to show that it can be dangerous. Food with niacin may protect the liver. This may be because niacin appears to boost zinc absorption. Individuals who do not have enough zinc may be at risk of cirrhosis.

Unfortunately, the supplements seem to have too much niacin for most patients. Thus, they may trigger a negative effect on the patient's liver instead. Individuals may be left with permanent liver issues. This appears to be the most common in sustained-release supplements. However, it may occur with the other forms of niacin tablets as well. Ultimately, the patient's risk of liver damage may depend on how long they take the tablets and their dose.

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Anticonvulsants

Most individuals who experience seizures seem to take anticonvulsants. This type of medication may help them lead a normal life. Unfortunately, they may also cause significant liver damage. This appears to be common if patients take them regularly and for long periods. However, all anticonvulsants may not be as risky as others. It appears that the older medications cause liver damage the most often. One such example is phenytoin.

Newer medications and benzodiazepines may have a lower risk of liver damage. However, this damage may still happen. The newer drugs may have other side effects. Doctors may choose to prescribe the newer anticonvulsants first due to their lower liver damage risk.

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Vitamin A

Sometimes, individuals may benefit from taking vitamins, though they may cause issues if they take too much. Excessive vitamin A intake seems to carry a risk of liver damage. These supplements seem to benefit patients with certain conditions, such as those that affect their skin or vision. However, they contain a significant amount of this vitamin. Vitamin A deficiency patients seem to take 25,000 IU of vitamin A each day. Studies appear to indicate that this amount taken for six years can trigger liver failure. Although alcohol can cause a vitamin A deficiency, it may also put individuals at risk of taking too much. This may be because alcohol can make individuals more sensitive to this vitamin. Children also appear to be at risk of taking too much vitamin A. The chewable vitamins that they may take seem to contain a significant amount.