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Hepatic Toxicity

Meaning

Hepatic toxicity, or liver toxicity, is the structural or functional damage to the liver caused by exposure to a drug, chemical, or hormonal substance. This adverse effect can range from mild, asymptomatic enzyme elevations to severe, life-threatening hepatic failure, significantly compromising the liver’s metabolic and synthetic functions. In hormonal therapy, the potential for hepatic toxicity must be carefully considered, particularly with oral formulations that undergo extensive first-pass metabolism.