Hepatotoxicity; How Can Drugs Damage Your Liver?

How is hepatotoxicity diagnosed

Diagnosing causes of liver damage is challenging. They all share the same symptoms and clinical signs, and there are few tests to differentiate between them. If your doctor starts you on a medication that is likely to cause hepatotoxicity, they will advise you to perform liver function tests regularly to detect hepatotoxicity once it occurs.

When you visit your doctor, they will ask you questions about your symptoms and your medications. Those include the number of medications you take, their doses, and how they are taken. Afterwards, they will examine you thoroughly to identify signs of liver damage which include:

• Jaundice
• Scratch marks from itching
• Spider angioma, which are rash-like red spots on your upper trunk and arms
• Redness of your palms