Drug Induced Hepatotoxicity: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Liver, the largest organ in the body is being evolved to maintain the body’s internal milieu and also protect itself from the challenges it faces during its functioning. It is a vital organ having diverse functions. It plays an important role not only in the metabolism, synthesis and storage but also in the detoxification of many endogenous and exogenous compounds and converting them to less toxic substances for excretion. Hepatotoxicity implies chemical-driven liver damage. Certain medicinal agents when taken in overdoses and sometimes even when introduced within therapeutic ranges may injure the liver. The liver plays a central role in transforming and clearing chemicals and is susceptible to the toxicity from these agents. The present review provides an overview of various drugs causing hepatotoxicity, various types of drug induced hepatotoxicity and their mechanisms.