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Drug-induced cholestasis - Treatment

Alternative Names

Cholestasis - drug-induced

Treatment:

If medication is causing the cholestasis, the doctor will probably tell you to stop taking the drug and will prescribe an alternative, if possible. DO NOT stop taking medications on your own without talking to your doctor. There is no medicine to reverse drug-induced cholestasis.

Expectations (prognosis):

Most patients recover, but severe cases may lead to liver failure. Drug-induced cholestasis usually reverses after you stop taking the medication or drug. However, it may take many months for cholestasis to get better.

Complications:

Diarrhea
Poor absorption of fat and fat-soluble vitamins
Severe itching

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you have persistent itching or notice that your skin or eyes are yellow.

Bile pathway

Reviewed last on: 8/22/2008
Christian Stone, MD, Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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