The body must process (chemically alter, or metabolize) drugs to be able to use and eliminate them. Most of this processing occurs in the liver, done by liver enzymes. Thus, drugs and the liver can affect each other in several ways:
Liver disorders Effects of Liver Disorders on Drugs Liver disorders often change the effect of drugs on the body—for example, by changing How much of the drug is absorbed from the intestine How quickly and completely the liver metabolizes a drug—for... read more can change the way a drug is metabolized.
Many factors (such as foods eaten, a person's genetic makeup, and use of other drugs) can affect the way the liver metabolizes drugs (see Factors Affecting Response to Drugs Factors Affecting Response to Drugs ).
Drugs can affect how quickly certain other drugs are metabolized in the liver. If a drug is metabolized more quickly, it may be broken down and eliminated before it can do what it is supposed to do. In slower drug metabolism Drug Metabolism Drug metabolism is the chemical alteration of a drug by the body. (See also Introduction to Administration and Kinetics of Drugs.) Some drugs are chemically altered by the body (metabolized)... read more , side effects are more likely.
More Information
The following English-language resource may be useful. Please note that THE MANUAL is not responsible for the content of this resource.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Sometimes Drugs and the Liver Don't Mix: Consumer-friendly information on how to prevent the potentially toxic effects of drug use on the liver.