Toxic Hepatitis: Definition, Causes, Risk Factors, Symptoms, Complications, Diagnosis, Treatment

Toxic Hepatitis is an inflammatory disease of liver. Inflammation is caused by exposure to certain chemicals, alcohol abuse and drugs. Generally, the inflammation of liver resolves following removal of the toxin or discontinuation of alcohol. Long-term exposure causes permanent damage to the liver. In this article, we will discuss about the various causes, symptoms, risk factors, and treatments of Toxic Hepatitis.

• Toxic Hepatitis defines inflammatory liver disease.
• The effect of irritant to liver cells causes inflammation of the liver tissue.
• Irritant toxics to liver cells are alcohol, chemicals, street drugs and some nutritional supplements.
• There have been cases where Toxic Hepatitis has developed in a matter of hours or days since exposure to toxins whereas there have been other instances where it has taken months of regular exposure to the toxin before any symptom of Toxic Hepatitis is observed.
• Generally, symptoms produced by Toxic Hepatitis are self limiting and tend to go away when the exposure to the toxin is eliminated but there have been cases where Toxic Hepatitis has permanently damaged the liver resulting in cirrhosis and in some instances liver failure.

• Abuse of alcohol over a number of years leads to Alcoholic Hepatitis.¹
• Alcoholic hepatitis can be fatal.

• Over-the-counter pain medications NSAIDs causes Toxic Hepatitis.
• NSAIDs if taken with alcohol can cause severe liver damage.
• List of medications are as follows-
  • Tylenol
  • Aspirin
  • Ibuprofen
  • Aleve

• Prolonged consumption or consumption of higher dosage of following medications causes Toxic Hepatitis.
• Medication which are toxic to liver are as follows-
• Antibiotics-
  • Augmentin
• Antituberculosis Medications³
  • Isoniazid
  • Rifampicin
• Anti-Epileptic Medications-
  • Depakote
  • Dilantin
• Immunosuppressant-
  • Imuran
• Cholesterol Lowering Medications ⁴–
  • Lipitor
  • Niaspan
  • Pravachol
  • Zocor
  • Crestor

• Halothane

• Regular consumption of Herbs and diet supplements can cause liver injuries.
• The toxic hepatitis is often seen with following herbs-
  • Cascara
  • Comfrey
  • Chaparral
  • Ephedra

• One of the occupational hazards working in chemical industry is often exposed to chemicals, which may cause liver toxicity.
• Liver toxic chemicals are arsenic acid, carbon tetrachloride used in dry cleaning and vinyl chloride, which is used to make plastic industry.

• Abusing over-the-counter pain relievers
• Individuals already suffering from liver disease like cirrhosis.
• Individuals suffering from Viral Hepatitis are prone to develop hepatitis if exposed to toxic substance.
• Elderly populations are at risk if exposed to toxic substance.
• Patient with history of street drug abuse or alcohol abuse.
• Female populations are more prone to develop Toxic Hepatitis.

• Symptoms are often absent.
• Non-specific symptoms are often seen in asymptomatic hepatitis.
• Non-Specific Symptoms of Toxic Hepatitis Are-
  • Loss of appetite
  • Weakness
  • Fatigue
  • Sweating
  • Nausea and vomiting

• Non-specific symptoms observed are same as above.

• Jaundice with yellowing of the skin and eyes
• Itching
• Pain in right upper abdomen
• Extreme fatigue
• Nausea along with vomiting
• Rashes
• Unintentional weight loss
• Dark colored urine
• Clay color stool

Cirrhosis- Toxic Hepatitis with time often leads to liver damage or a medical condition called cirrhosis.

• The most important factor in diagnosis of toxic hepatitis is detailed history of exposure to toxic substance.
• The protocol of examination of jaundice patient is to note down all the medications patient has taken during last several week or exposure to chemical at work or home.

• Liver Function Test-
  • Abnormal AST (aspartate transaminase) enzyme- elevated
  • ALT (alanine transaminase) enzyme- elevated
  • Serum Bilirubin- elevate

• Ethanol level is checked in patients with history of alcohol abuse.
• Level is often high

• Drug test is performed in patient with history of street drug abuse.

• Imaging studies may be performed like CT or MRI scan to look at the state of the liver

• Finally, a liver biopsy is done for confirmatory diagnosis of Toxic Hepatitis.

• Diet- Prescribed proper diet
• Dehydration-
  • Avoid and treat dehydration
  • Bed rest
  • Prevent malnourishment

• Eliminate exposure of toxic substance.
• Change job description or place of work
• Avoid job where chemical exposure is mandatory

• Patient should be tested for the serum level of over-the-counter medications.
• Patient should not be given the NSAIDs medications.
• If toxic effect is caused by any NSAIDs then all NSAIDs are contraindicated.

• If liver damage is caused by overuse of acetaminophen, then a medication called acetylcysteine is administered immediately in order to limit the damage caused to the liver.

• Indicated for acute and chronic liver failure,
• All other treatment are failed

Since it is very difficult to predict how the body will react to substances like chemicals, medications etc., it is not quite possible to prevent Toxic Hepatitis but certain measures as mentioned below can be taken to cut down the risk of developing Toxic Hepatitis:

• One should take medications only as directed by the physician and in case of nonprescription drugs then the individual should make sure not to overuse it.
• An individual needs to take extreme care when taking herbs or supplements and one should make sure to discuss the supplements with the physician before taking it.
• Never ever mix alcohol with drugs, as this can be extremely dangerous.
• If an individual is in the chemical industry, then that individual needs to be extra cautious when being exposed to chemicals

References:

Also Read:

• Hepandnavirus or Hepatitis B Virus
• Autoimmune Hepatitis or AIH: Causes, Types, Risk Factors, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, Complications
• Chronic Hepatitis: Causes, Symptoms, Signs, Treatment, Prevention, Prognosis, Investigations
• Hepandnavirus or Hepatitis B Virus