Hepatotoxicity of anesthetics and other central nervous system drugs

A large number of anesthetics, tranquilizers, hypnotic sedatives, and anticonvulsants are used clinically. Although these agents are generally well tolerated, liver injury of differing patterns is well recognized with their use. Knowledge of the likelihood of hepatotoxicity and the characteristic clinical features with these compounds is important as fatal outcomes due to liver failure have been reported with several of these agents. This article describes the potential mechanisms and clinical features of drug hepatotoxicity associated with these compounds.