Recreational Drugs and Liver Disease

It is important for people with liver disease to refrain from using any recreational drugs. In fact, it has been shown that cocaine and Ecstasy (an amphetamine) each have the potential of causing hepatitis. Furthermore, cannabis (marijuana) may decrease the effectiveness of interferon therapy and may diminish or nullify a person’s response to this medication. And recently, cannabis smoking has been implicated as a risk factor for progression of scarring (fibrosis) in people with hepatitis C. As discussed in previous chapters, intravenous and intranasal drug use has been associated with the transmission of both hepatitis B and C

All contents of this article are Copyright © Melissa Palmer, MD

Melissa Palmer, MD is the author of " Dr. Melissa Palmer's Guide of Hepatitis and Liver Disease". (Published 2004. Penguin Putnam).

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