Drug Reactions And The Liver

Out Of Print... The papers presented at a two-day international symposium held at the Royal Society, London, and the discussion which ensued are published in this volume and represent a current and unique multi-disciplinary approach to the problems of the mechanisms of drug hepatotoxicity and its control. Following introductory statements on the origins, presentation and reporting of typical drug-induced liver lesions, more specific aspects relating to selected examples of heparoroxic drugs are presented. The drugs chosen represent compounds which produce toxicity by a variety of different mechanisms and with equally variable toxic manifestations, and include paracetamol (acetaminophen), isoniazid, halothane, methotrexate, azathioprine, salicylates, oral contraceptives and anabolic steroids. The importance of biotransformation in the production of potentially harmful drug metabolites, the influence of immunological mechanisms in the expression of toxicity, the manifestations of the lesion and measures for management of the affected patient are some of the aspects considered for the different drugs. In the final section the value and interpretation of screening methods used for drug hepatotoxicity are assessed and the implications of such toxicity testing to the production, evaluation and ultimate marketing of new drugs are discussed. Experts from different academic backgrounds have contributed a wide range of topics to this symposium which will interest a variety of readers: postgraduate and professional clinical and biochemical pharmacologists and toxicologists, gastroenterologists, anaesthetists and members of the drug industry. 364pp B/W photos and scientific diagrams throughout