What drugs can cause liver damage?

The occurrence of liver damage is often closely related to drug problems, so you should be extremely cautious in taking medications. Common antipyretic and analgesic drugs, some lipid-lowering drugs, and traditional Chinese medicines should not be used blindly and you must consult a doctor.

1. Antipyretic and analgesic drugs . When people encounter common minor ailments such as colds, headaches, fevers, and joint pains, they always choose to take medicine on their own, especially some antipyretic and analgesic drugs which can have an immediate effect. But on the other hand, this type of drugs is also a common drug that causes liver damage, such as phenylbutazone, acetaminophen, aspirin, etc.

2. Lipid-lowering drugs. Mainly refers to statins, such as simvastatin, and fibrate-type lipid-lowering drugs. This type of drug can cause liver and kidney damage and skeletal muscle damage, which is often manifested as increased transaminase and muscle enzymes. Therefore, this type of lipid-lowering drug is not suitable for everyone. Patients need to undergo liver function assessment before taking the drug. Patients who are taking lipid-lowering drugs should also check their liver function regularly. If any abnormality is found, they should stop taking the drugs.

3. Certain Chinese medicines . People have always believed that Chinese medicine has much fewer side effects than Western medicine, but for the liver, the body's metabolic system, some Chinese medicines can also cause liver and kidney damage. For example, Chinese medicines such as rhubarb, rhamnose, senna, genkwa, daylily root, clove, radix trichosanthis, Xanthium sibiricum, abrac, wild lily, radix trichosanthis, mugwort, and toosendan should be taken under the guidance of a doctor.

4. In addition, there are many drugs that may induce liver damage , such as some anti-cancer drugs, antibiotics such as tetracycline, erythromycin, spiramycin, as well as certain hypoglycemic drugs, antidepressants, etc.

5. When using the above-mentioned drugs , you must do so under the guidance of a professional doctor and conduct regular liver function monitoring if necessary. Because many drugs are used for long-term chronic diseases, patients may need to take them for a long time, which can easily induce liver damage in the long run.