Histopathologic manifestations of drug-induced hepatotoxicity

Clin Liver Dis. 2013 Nov;17(4):547-64, vii-viii. doi: 10.1016/j.cld.2013.07.004. Epub 2013 Sep 4.

Abstract

Drug-induced hepatotoxicity is underrecognized but increasingly identified as causing acute and chronic liver disease. Several prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, dietary and/or supplementary agents, and herbal products are hepatotoxic. Drug-induced liver injury mimics other primary acute and chronic liver diseases and it should be considered in patients with hepatobiliary disease. Certain drugs result in specific histopathologic patterns of liver injury, which may help in sorting out the responsible drug. The diagnosis of drug-induced hepatotoxicity is challenging. It involves excluding other possible causes, careful medication history, the latent period between drug exposure and symptom onset and/or abnormal liver tests, and histopathologic findings.

Keywords: Drug-induced hepatotoxicity; Drugs; Liver injury; Pathology.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aspirin / adverse effects
  • Cell Death / drug effects
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / diagnosis
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / pathology*
  • Hepatocytes / pathology
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry

Substances

  • Aspirin