Tobacco and Liver Disease
Cigarette smoking may induce certain cytochrome P450 enzymes in the liver, thereby increasing the susceptibility of smokers to the potentially hepatotoxic effects of some drugs, including acetaminophen. Smoking may also diminish the liver’s ability to detoxify dangerous substances, and it may affect the dose of medication required to treat a particular liver disease. Furthermore, cigarettes may worsen the course of alcoholic liver disease. Also, cigarettes have been associated with a possible increased incidence of liver cancer. And, as noted above, cigarettes may increase the risk of hepatotoxicity of certain drugs, such as NSAIDs. Therefore, people with liver disease should refrain from cigarette smoking.
There is no conclusive evidence that other forms of tobacco use, such as pipe and cigar smoking or the use of chewing tobacco, have an adverse effect on the liver. However, it is likely that these forms of tobacco have effects on the liver that are similar to those from cigarette smoking. Therefore, it is recommended that people with liver disease refrain from using these forms of tobacco as well.
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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