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Bile Duct Ligation in Mice: Induction of Inflammatory Liver Injury and Fibrosis by Obstructive Cholestasis
Published on: February 10, 2015
Drug-induced Cholelithiasis
Štefan Alušík1, Zoltán Paluch2
1Department of Internal Medicine, Postgraduate Medical School, Prague, Czech Republic.
Current Reviews in Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology
|December 18, 2020
Summary
Drug-induced cholelithiasis (gallstones) is a significant concern, with certain medications posing a higher risk. Awareness of this risk is crucial before starting new therapies.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Gastroenterology
- Hepatology
Background:
- Cholelithiasis (gallstones) is highly prevalent in developed nations.
- Causes are multifactorial, with drug-induced cases being a small but significant subset.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the lesser-known fact that various drugs can induce cholelithiasis.
- To emphasize the importance of considering drug-induced gallstone risk before initiating therapy.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature search using PubMed, Google Scholar, and Science Direct.
- Review of reference lists from retrieved articles.
- Inclusion of the most relevant and current information.
Main Results:
- A broad spectrum of drugs can induce gallstone formation through diverse mechanisms.
- Some drugs, such as ceftriaxone, atazanavir, and somatostatin analogues, present a high risk.
- Certain drug compounds can precipitate directly in bile, forming the entirety of gallstones.
Conclusions:
- Drug-induced cholelithiasis is a recognized clinical entity with varying risk levels.
- Healthcare providers should assess the potential for gallstone development prior to prescribing medications known to induce lithiasis.
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