Many oral and injectable medications can be toxic to the liver. It is not a question of stopping them or reducing the doses, just of being more careful when under treatment.
Certain often prescribed drugs can be dangerous for the liver. Molecule by molecule, Dr. Biour, pharmacologist, takes stock.
The most common hepatotoxic antibiotics
- Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (Augmentin and generics)
At what dose? Normal
After how long? From a few days to 15 weeks after starting treatment, up to 4 weeks after stopping. - Erythromycin (Égéry, Ery, Erythrocine…)
At what dose? Normal
After how long? From 5 days of treatment. - Ciprofloxacin (Ciflox and generics)
At what dose? Normal
After how long? Between a few days and 3 weeks. - Clarithromycin (Zeclar and generics)
At what dose? Normal
After how long? Between a few days and 3 weeks. - Cotrimoxazole (Bactrim and generics)
At what dose? Normal
After how long? From a few days to 2 months. - Nitrofurantoin (Furadantine)
At what dose? Normal
After how long? From day 1.
Other common hepatotoxic drugs
- In analgesics: paracetamol ( Doliprane , Efferalgan, Dafalgan…)
At what dose? From 4 g/day. Its toxicity is increased in case of fasting or chronic alcoholism
After how long? Beyond 3 weeks of continuous intake, sometimes less if large doses (6-8 g/day). - In nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) :diclofenac ( Voltaren and generics)
At what dose? Normal
After how long? From a few days to 6 months. - In antiarrhythmics: Amiodarone (Cordarone and generics)
At what dose? Normal
After how long? In the first 3 months. - In antidepressants : Amitriptyline (Laroxyl), Imipramine (Tofranil)
At what dose? Normal
After how long? In the first 3 months. - In neuroleptics: Clozapine (Leponex and generics)
At what dose? Normal
After how long? From 1 week to 2 months. - In antifungals: Itraconazole (Sopranox)
At what dose? Normal
After how long? Between 1 and 6 weeks
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