Liver function tests are used to monitor which medications?

Liver function tests are used to monitor which medications?

• A. Monitoring statins
• B. Monitoring antibiotics
• C. Monitoring diuretics
• D. Monitoring insulin

Answer: (A)

Liver function tests are used to watch for liver injury caused by medications that affect the liver. Statins can be hepatically metabolized and, in some patients, cause elevations in liver enzymes indicating hepatocellular injury. Because of this potential risk, baseline LFTs and periodic monitoring are commonly recommended when patients are on statins to catch any liver issues early. The other options don’t fit as routinely with LFT monitoring: antibiotics can affect the liver in some cases but aren’t universally monitored with LFTs; diuretics mainly impact fluid balance and kidney function rather than the liver; insulin isn’t hepatotoxic in standard use, so routine LFT monitoring isn’t used to track insulin therapy.

Liver function tests are used to watch for liver injury caused by medications that affect the liver. Statins can be hepatically metabolized and, in some patients, cause elevations in liver enzymes indicating hepatocellular injury. Because of this potential risk, baseline LFTs and periodic monitoring are commonly recommended when patients are on statins to catch any liver issues early. The other options don’t fit as routinely with LFT monitoring: antibiotics can affect the liver in some cases but aren’t universally monitored with LFTs; diuretics mainly impact fluid balance and kidney function rather than the liver; insulin isn’t hepatotoxic in standard use, so routine LFT monitoring isn’t used to track insulin therapy.