Hepatotoxicity of antiviral agents.

Because most therapeutic agents used for viral infections are relatively new, experience with their adverse effects is still evolving. Hepatic toxicity has not been among the most important concerns with this class of drugs so far. Liver damage has been increasingly noted with accumulating experience, especially with antiretroviral drugs and those used to treat chronic hepatitis (e.g., fialuridine), but it is often difficult to distinguish between effects of therapy and of the underlying disease. It is important for clinicians to be aware of the possibility of hepatotoxicity in such situations, and further reporting of adverse experiences should contribute to more definitive evaluation of the potential influence of antivirals on liver function.