Medicine
Pharmacokinetics of Drug Metabolism in Hepatic Impairment
Quick fact
In severe cirrhosis, plasma drug levels can rise by several-fold, and even modest doses of opioids or benzodiazepines can cause life-threatening respiratory depression.
Why this is interesting
We all know the liver processes drugs, but when it's diseased, even a standard dose of a familiar medication can become toxic—or fail to work. Why does liver impairment turn routine prescribing into a high-stakes balancing act?