Published online Nov 28, 2015. doi: 10.4254/wjh.v7.i27.2716
Peer-review started: June 29, 2015
First decision: July 28, 2015
Revised: October 25, 2015
Accepted: November 13, 2015
Article in press: November 17, 2015
Published online: November 28, 2015
Processing time: 152 Days and 14.9 Hours
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is composed of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis and is manifested by both bowel-related and extraintestinal manifestations. Recently the number of therapeutic options available to treat IBD has dramatically increased, with each new medication having its own mechanism of action and side effect profile. A complete understanding of the hepatotoxicity of these medications is important in order to distinguish these complications from the hepatic manifestations of IBD. This review seeks to evaluate the hepatobiliary complications of non-steroid based IBD medications and aide providers in the recognition and management of these side-effects.
Core tip: Recently the number of medical therapies for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has greatly increased. Each medication has its own mechanism of action and side effect profile. This review article discusses the hepatic side effects of medications used to treat IBD enabling physicians to better recognize and manage these complications.