Table of contents:
- What are the functions of the liver?
- How does the drug affect the liver?
- What drugs have a risk of causing liver damage?
Medication is needed when you are sick, slightly ill or seriously ill. In fact, there are some of you may be addicted to certain drugs to control the pain you suffer. However, you should use the drug according to the instructions for use. Medicines that are not used in accordance with the instructions can damage organs in your body, including the liver. The liver is one of the organs involved in drug metabolism in the body. Thus, the effect of the drug on the liver can occur.
What are the functions of the liver?
The liver is an organ located in the upper right part of the abdominal cavity, below the diaphragm and above the stomach, right kidney, and intestines. This organ plays a role in controlling chemical levels in the blood and secreting bile (which plays an important role in breaking down and absorbing fat in the body). The liver is also involved in the metabolism of various nutrients (fat, carbohydrates, and protein), drugs, supplements, and others that you consume. And, helps in getting rid of waste substances that are no longer used by the body.
Blood that contains nutrients from food and chemicals from medicines is cleaned in the liver. This is done by converting potentially hazardous chemical substances into harmless substances. Then, this substance is excreted together with the bile to be eliminated from the body along with the feces, or excreted by the kidneys to be eliminated from the body with urine.
How does the drug affect the liver?
The liver breaks down the medicines you take into forms that are easier for the body to absorb and use. The chemicals that are not used by the body from these drugs are then released by the liver to be eliminated from the body. Thus, the liver has an important role in the process of drug metabolism in the body. If the use of drugs damages the liver, it can interfere with the normal functioning of the liver and thus also disrupt various metabolism in the body.
Medicines can cause liver disease in a number of ways. Some drugs can directly damage the liver, and some other drugs can be converted by the liver into chemicals that can cause injury to the liver directly or indirectly.
There are three ways in which drugs can damage the liver, depending on the dose of the drug, a person's liver susceptibility to drugs, and drug allergies. In very rare cases, a person can develop a rare tendency that makes their liver susceptible to certain drugs.
The effect of drugs on the liver is usually not dangerous if taken as directed. Medicines that are known to be harmful, especially for people with liver disease, usually include warnings about their use for people with liver disorders. Get used to always read the rules of use before taking medication.
What drugs have a risk of causing liver damage?
There are several drugs that can damage the liver if used excessively. One of them is acetaminophen. This medication is available without a doctor's prescription, so you can use it whenever you want. However, you should pay attention to how to use the drug.
Acetaminophen that is consumed too much at one time or taken in high doses continuously for several days (more than 3-5 days) can cause liver damage. For those of you who are healthy, you are advised not to take more than 1000 mg of acetaminophen per drink or no more than 3000 mg per day.
Apart from drugs, supplements and herbal remedies can also cause liver damage. Moreover, testing for supplements and herbal medicines is usually not as rigorous as testing for drugs before they are released on the market. Thus, the potential harm may be greater to your health.
You should not take supplements or herbal medicines that have not been proven safe through clinical trials. Even if proven safe, don't overdo it. Remember, always read the rules of use.
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