[Toxic cirrhosis]

Carbon tetrachloride induces diffuse fatty degeneration and centrilobular necrosis in the liver and the severity of liver injury is roughly proportional to the dosage administered. Nonetheless, the incidence of cirrhosis by this agent is rare. Several drugs, including methyldopa, methotrexate, isoniazid and vitamin A, have occasionally been reported to cause chronic active hepatitis, fibrosis and cirrhosis. There is no question that continued administration of the drug in the presence of clinically apparent hepatitis can lead to chronic active hepatitis, fibrosis and cirrhosis. Early recognition that a therapeutic drug is the probable cause of liver injury, followed by prompt withdrawal of such a drug, generally suffices in the management of drug-induced chronic liver disease.