List of Topics Print This Page

 Liver Disease

Drug-induced cholestasis

Drug-induced cholestasis

Bile pathway
Bile pathway

Definition:

Drug-induced cholestasis is the blockage of the flow of bile from the liver caused by medication.

Alternative Names:
Cholestasis - drug-induced
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Bile is produced in the liver, moved to the gallbladder and excreted into the gut through the biliary tract, to aid in the digestion of fats. Flow from the liver to the gallbladder and ultimately to the gut can be slowed or stopped by certain drugs. When the flow of bile is inhibited, an individual may become jaundiced (yellow coloration to the eyes and skin). Drugs which cause cholestasis (absence of flow of bile) may damage the liver.

Many drugs can cause cholestasis. Some more common culprits include: gold salts, nitrofurantoin, anabolic steroids, oral contraceptives, chlorpromazine, prochlorperazine, sulindac, cimetidine, erythromycin, tobutamide, imipramine, ampicillin and other penicillin-based antibiotics. This list is not comprehensive, as other medications can also unexpectedly cause cholestasis in some individuals.

Symptoms:
  • Itching
  • Jaundiced (yellow) skin or eyes
  • Very dark urine
  • Very pale stools
  • Fever or rash from drug sensitivity
  • Right upper quadrant abdominal pain
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
Signs and tests:

Elevated bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase.


Review Date: 7/25/2006
Reviewed By: Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Frankford-TorresdaleHospital, Jefferson Health System, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2002 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

  View History
 Drug-induced cholestasis

   
   

 

About UPHS   Contact Us   Site Map   Privacy Statement   Legal Disclaimer   Terms of Use

The University of Pennsylvania Health System, Philadelphia, PA 1-800-789-PENN © 2008, The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania