Reproducile in animals and damages particular site of hepatic lobules. It is a kind of direct hepatotoxicity . Frequently induced by drug metabolites , and not caused by the toxicity of the drug itself. Unreproducible in animals. Usually, related to the immune reaction of liver cells.
Symptoms are non-specific , such as with the fever like that of viral origin.
Because of these facts, on aggravation of symptoms, it is very difficult to differentiate between the deterioration or complication of the underlying liver disease and drug induced liver disease. New drugs are often not known about their liver toxicity, thus they should be used under careful observation. Rechallenge test to prove the causing drug is highly reliable, but it should not be recommended because of danger and immorality.