title: Psychotropic medication use: what will it do to my liver?
abstract: Liver toxicity is the leading reason for withdrawal of marketed drugs and is a common reason for terminating the development of new drugs. Anticonvulsant, antidepressant, and antipsychotic drugs can be associated with significant liver injury or liver failure, but this is relatively rare compared to other non-psychotropic drug classes. More commonly, mild asymptomatic elevations in liver function tests are seen and these are not predictive of progression to more severe liver injury. Laboratory monitoring of liver function before and during treatment is recommended with the use of valproic acid and carbamazepine, but not for other psychotropic drugs, although regular laboratory testing is not a reliable method for detecting or preventing severe liver injury. Clinical monitoring for signs and symptoms suggesting hepatotoxicity or hypersensitivity reactions that affect the liver is more important.
authors.forename: Robert H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Howland
mesh_terms: D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000633:toxicity*; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000633:toxicity*; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000633:toxicity*; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D008111:Liver Function Tests / Q000379:methods; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs