6. Pharmacist and prevention of drug-induced hepatotoxicity

Currently, there is a need to discuss about interdisciplinary groups to provide comprehensive patient care; and the pharmacist is a part of this. Through knowledge of the important aspects of hepatotoxicity (hepatotoxic drugs, symptoms, risk factors, pathological antecedents and patient habits), it is possible for pharmacist to carry out prevention activities and promote the proper use of medications, decreasing deleterious effects on health of patient. Besides, feedback in the interdisciplinary group may optimize the reaction time in a liver injury case.

Identification of liver toxicity is difficult, because it has no specific manifestations; however, having in mind, this health problem may contribute to a fast clinical response. The next actions may help to identify drug-induced liver toxicity:


To prevent death or harmful effects, it is necessary to suspend the hepatotoxic drug, monitoring liver test and use other medications such as N-acetylcysteine or corticosteroids (prednisone, prednisolone and betamethasone) to improve the status of patient health [36]. Also, it is important to educate patient in proper use of drugs to prevent the occurrence of hepatotoxicity.
