Chronic liver disease medical therapy

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

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The treatment of chronic liver disease depends on the cause. While some conditions may be treated with medications, others may require surgery or a transplant. Transplant is required when the liver fails and there is no other alternative ^[1]. Because many chronic liver disorders have no cure, many people have been turning to alternative health care. Herbal supplements are widely used by many people with chronic liver disease. None of these herbs have ever been tested in randomized clinical trials and no one knows whether they work. Some common herbs known to be potentially harmful in liver disease include black cohosh, ma huang, chaparral, comfrey, germander, greater celandine, kava, mistletoe, pennyroyal, skull cap and valerian.

Chronic liver disease is considered an absolute contraindication to the use of the following medications:

• Methotrexate

Severe hepatic damage is considered an absolute contraindication to the use of the following medications:

• Pyrazinamide