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Liver Health Liver Health Basics

Liver Problems with HIV Medications

Summary & Participants

Liver problems may be difficult to avoid when taking HIV medicines. But most problems are relatively mild and do not prevent people with HIV from continuing treatment. Learn more about liver damage associated with HIV treatment, and ways that doctors can help minimize the risk of serious problems.

Medically Reviewed On: May 09, 2008

Webcast Transcript

ANNOUNCER: When people with HIV start treatment, their doctors monitor them carefully, checking for signs of liver problems.

BRIAN BOYLE, MD: A number of different antiretrovirals can cause liver damage. And as a result of that, and given the importance of the liver, it's not possible to survive without one. Patients need to be monitored carefully to make sure that the medications are not causing liver toxicity.

ANNOUNCER: Checking for problems can be done during routine doctor visits.

EDWIN DeJESUS, MD: The liver is very easy to monitor with just a simple blood test called liver transaminases. They spill into the bloodstream whenever there is an inflammation of the liver. They're mainly ALT and AST.

BRIAN BOYLE, MD: The transaminases are indicators of inflammation. The other markers, the bilirubin, the albumin, as well as, in some cases, the prothrombin time, are markers of how well the liver is functioning.

ANNOUNCER: Doctors also check for liver problems by asking about possible symptoms. Unfortunately, sometimes damage can occur without any outward symptoms.