Intrahepatic cholestasis as a side-effect of drug therapy.

Drug-induced hepatotoxicity causes 2-5% of hospitalization for jaundice; in the elderly this figure is close to 20%. The liver is particularly susceptible to drug damage because its blood supply delivers drugs in higher concentrations, and because of its role in metabolizing drugs. This article reviews the morphological, biochemical and clinical features of intrahepatic cholestasis, outlining the hypotheses for this frequent side-effect of drug therapy.