Drug metabolism in liver disease

Abstract

Liver dysfunction, depending on its nature and severity, has a variable influence on hepatic uptake, storage and biliary excretion of therapeutic agents. Liver injury is characterized by reversible alteration in hepatic mechanisms required for disposition of foreign compounds. There should be cognizance of such changes in choosing drugs and their dosage for patients with liver disease. Pharmacological effects of drugs that act in the liver or depend on this organ for biotransformation, oxidation or excretion may be modified by the presence of liver disease. Administered medicinal agents may be beneficial or harmful to the diseased liver, depending on site and mode of action, influence on liver morphology, severity and nature of the hepatic injury, and the drug dosage or period of use.