• A disorder characterized by the inability of the liver to metabolize chemicals in the body. Causes include cirrhosis and drug-induced hepatotoxicity. Signs and symptoms include jaundice and encephalopathy. Laboratory test results reveal abnormal plasma levels of ammonia, bilirubin, lactic dehydrogenase, and alkaline phosphatase.
  NCI
  U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
• Severe inability of the liver to function normally, as evidenced by severe jaundice and abnormal levels of ammonia, bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, lactic dehydrogenase, and reversal of the albumin/globulin ratio.
  CRISP Thesaurus
  National Institutes of Health, 2006
• Severe inability of the LIVER to perform its normal metabolic functions, as evidenced by severe JAUNDICE and abnormal serum levels of AMMONIA; BILIRUBIN; ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE; ASPARTATE AMINOTRANSFERASE; LACTATE DEHYDROGENASES; and albumin/globulin ratio. (Blakiston's Gould Medical Dictionary, 4th ed)
  NLM Medical Subject Headings
  U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2025
• Sustained, and severe damage to the liver with significant loss of function.
  U.S. FDA Glossary
  U.S. Food & Drug Administration, 2021
• (hepatic failure) A disorder characterized by the inability of the liver to metabolize chemicals in the body. Laboratory test results reveal abnormal plasma levels of ammonia, bilirubin, lactic dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, aminotransferase, and/or prolongation of prothrombin time (INR.) Drug-induced liever injury (DILI) as defined by Hy's Law.
  Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events
  U.S. National Institutes of Health, 2021
• Liver failure is severe deterioration in liver function. Liver failure is caused by a disorder or substance that damages the liver.
  Merck Manuals
  Merck & Co., Inc., 2025