Prevacid, also known as lansoprazole, belongs to a class of medications known as proton pump inhibitors. Proton pump inhibitors are drugs used to suppress production of acid in the stomach. Prevacid is used to treat and prevent stomach lucers, duodenal ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Prevacid is metabolized in the liver and may cause several effects on the liver.
Toxic Hepatitis
According to Drugs.com, high doses of Prevacid cause toxic hepatitis. Toxic hepatitis is inflammation of the liver caused by constant exposure to high levels of Prevacid and other drugs. Prevacid is metabolized in the liver. The liver converts Prevacid into by-products that can be easily removed from the body. Exposure to high doses of Prevacid causes damage to liver cells, leading to inflammation of the liver. Signs and symptoms of inflammation of the liver include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, diarrhea, fatigue, weakness, pale-colored stool, dark urine, enlargement of the liver and yellowing of the skin and eyes.
Hepato-Biliary System
According to the National Institutes of Health, hepato-biliary system refers to the liver, gall bladder and bile ducts and how they function together in order to manufacture bile. Prevacid damages the liver and leads to impairment of bile flow, which leads to symptoms such as jaundice, itching, biliary pain, gall bladder pain, gall bladder stones and gall bladder inflammation.
Liver Function Tests
Drugs.com states that Prevacid damages the liver and leads to increased liver function tests in the blood. When the liver is damaged, liver enzymes such as AST and ALT are released into the bloodstream. ALT stands for alanine aminotransferase, and AST stands for aspartate aminotrasferase. Blood tests can detect high levels of AST and ALT when the liver is damaged.
Liver Cirrhosis
According to Drugs.com, prolonged exposure to high doses of Prevacid may lead to liver cirrhosis. Cirrhosis is irreversible scarring of liver tissue caused by chronic injury by toxic drugs and alcohol. Constant exposure of the liver to high doses of Prevacid leads to chronic injury to liver cells. Scar tissue replaces healthy liver tissue and blocks the flow of blood though the liver and this impairs the liver's ability to perform its functions. Patients suffering from end-stage liver cirrhosis require liver transplant because the liver can no longer regenerate.
Drug-induced Liver Failure
According to Drugs.com, high levels of Prevacid may cause liver failure. Liver failure due to Prevacid may occur gradually due to long-term exposure to high levels of Prevacid or suddenly due to Prevacid overdose. Early symptoms of liver failure include nausea, loss of appetite, fatigue and diarrhea. As liver failure progresses, patients experience mental confusion, jaundice, easy bruising and bleeding, swollen liver and coma.
