Liver toxicity

The liver , the body's largest internal organ, is responsible for many vital functions. It processes food and plays an important role in metabolism, including the breakdown, storage, and release of sugar, fats, cholesterol, minerals, and fat-soluble vitamins. It filters and and purifies the blood and processes numerous toxins, including alcohol and many drugs. In addition, it produces several crucial proteins such as enzymes, hormones, and factors that enable blood clotting.

Injury to the liver can be caused by a variety of factors ranging from viruses such as hepatitis A, B, and C, to heavy alcohol use, to genetic diseases. ‘Hepatitis’ is a general term for liver inflammation. Many drugs,  including some antiretrovirals, can also cause liver injury. Such agents are said to be ‘hepatotoxic'. Drug-related hepatotoxicity is a major cause of liver failure.

This content was checked for accuracy at the time it was written. It may have been superseded by more recent developments. NAM recommends checking whether this is the most current information when making decisions that may affect your health.