Fatty liver disease is defined as the fat accumulation within the liver exceeding the normal range of 5 percent of the liver weight. According to an article released in December 2007 by the "World Journal of Gastroenterology," fatty liver disease is a chronic liver problem which can be categorized into two types: alcoholic liver disease, a very common liver problem with a prevalence rate of one fatty liver patient out of five heavy alcoholic beverage drinkers; and the nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, a liver problem most commonly seen in obese patients.
Valproic Acid
Valproic acid is an effective medication used to control seizures associated with epilepsy. However, it is also strongly associated with the occurrence of fatty liver disease in 63 percent of patients who receive this medication, according to a study released in May 2004 by the "Annals of Neurology." The fatty liver disease in these patients may be due to the weight gain commonly observed with valproic acid intake. Withdrawal of valproate therapy results in weight loss and liver normalization, which can be seen through the use of an ultrasound device.
Carbamazepine
Carbamazepine is another medication used to control seizures in patients with epilepsy. In a study published by "Epilepsy Research" in September 2009, the investigators noted the development of ultrasonographic signs of fatty liver disease in 22.7 percent of patients receiving this anti-epileptic drug. Thus, the researchers recommended the regular ultrasonographic monitoring of patients taking this medication.
Tamoxifen
Tamoxifen is an effective medication used as an adjuvant chemotherapy regimen in patients with breast cancer. However, in a case study released by "Gastroentorologie Clinique et Biologique" in November 2000, the researchers noted the development of fatty liver disease in a female patient after she started receiving tamoxifen for her chemotherapy. This liver problem later progressed to liver cirrhosis, a degenerative chronic liver disease characterized by the replacement of normal liver tissues by tough, fibrous connective tissues. Thus, the researchers suggested that patients receiving tamoxifen, especially those who have other predisposing factors to the development of fatty liver disease, should be evaluated first for fatty liver disease because this problem may progress to liver cirrhosis.
Amiodarone
Amiodarone is a potent medication used to correct heartbeat irregularity. It is widely available in Europe. An article released by "Seminars in Liver Disease" in November 2009 noted that amiodarone is a fat-loving drug that concentrates in the liver and, after a period of time, causes drug-related fatty liver formation and toxicity. Thus, risks and benefits of amiodarone use should be weighed first before considering this medication in treating patients with heartbeat irregularity.
References
- "World Journal of Gastroenterology"; Prevalence of Fatty Liver Disease and its Risk Factors in the Population of South China"; Zhou, Y. et al.; December 2007
- "Annals of Neurology"; Valproate therapy and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease; Luef, G.F. et al.; May 2004
- "Epilepsy Research"; Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), insulin resistance and lipid profile in antiepileptic drug treatment; Leuf, G.F. et al.; September 2009
- "Gastroentorologie Clinique et Biologique"; Cirrhosis with non alcoholic steatohepatitis: role of tamoxifen; Dray, X. et al.; November 2000
- "Seminars in Liver disease"; Drug-induced steatohepatitis leading to cirrhosis: long-term toxicity of amiodarone use; Raja, K. et al.; November 2009
