What Medicines Are Taken for a Liver That Does Not Function Correctly?

The liver is one of the most important organs in the body as it helps with digestion, helps remove toxins from the body and synthesizes proteins. There are many disorders that stop the liver from functioning properly but in most situations medication can help you.

Wilson's Disease

• Wilson's disease is genetic condition where copper accumulates in your liver and other organs. Normally, the liver absorbs and excretes copper. People with Wilson's disease take chelating drugs such as Cuprimine and Syprine which releases copper into the bloodstream for kidneys to filter.

Crigler-Najjar Syndrome

• Crigler-Najjar syndrome is a rare disease where the liver does not properly process bilirubin, something the liver produces when dealing with waste. People with Crigler-Najjar syndrome will need to take oral calcium phosphate, as well as undergo blood transfusion and phototherapy in order to survive.

Gilbert Syndrome

• Gilbert syndrome is a mild liver disorder where the liver cannot properly process bilirubin. Symptoms of Gilbert syndrome are usually mild and require no treatment. Sometimes people with Gilbert syndrome suffer from mild jaundice. If your doctor decides to treat your jaundice, the barbiturate phenobarbital helps to cut down levels of bilirubin.

Dubin-Johnson Syndrome

• Dubin-Johnson syndrome is similar to Gilbert syndrome but the liver only partly processes the bilirubin. Phenobarbital helps people with Dubin-Johnson syndrome also.

Hepatitis

• Hepatitis is caused by an infection of the liver. Anti-viral medications help people with hepatitis to prevent further liver damage.