Jaundice — Causes, Related Conditions & Affordable Treatment
Jaundice can be associated with multiple conditions. Consult a healthcare provider to determine the cause and appropriate treatment.
Affordable Treatment Options
Eligible medications linked to the active formulary may have no additional cost under listed supply, quantity, fill, and fulfillment limits. Other prescriptions may qualify for membership pricing. Pharmacy participation and fulfillment terms vary.
About Jaundice
Noticing a yellow tint to your skin or the whites of your eyes can be alarming, but it's a crucial sign that your body needs attention. This symptom, known as jaundice, indicates an underlying health issue that requires medical evaluation. While the cause can vary, effective treatments are available, and managing medication costs doesn't have to add to your worries. TheDrugClub is here to help make necessary prescriptions more affordable.
Jaundice is a condition characterized by a yellow discoloration of the skin, mucous membranes, and the whites of the eyes. This yellowing occurs due to an excess of bilirubin—a yellow-orange bile pigment—in the blood. Bilirubin is a waste product primarily formed from the breakdown of red blood cells. Normally, the liver processes bilirubin and excretes it from the body.
What Causes Jaundice?
Jaundice isn't a disease itself but rather a symptom of an underlying condition affecting the liver, gallbladder, or red blood cells. Common causes include:
- Liver Diseases: Conditions like hepatitis (inflammation of the liver), cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), and fatty liver disease can impair the liver's ability to process bilirubin.
- Gallstones or Blockages: Gallstones, tumors, or inflammation can block the bile ducts, preventing bilirubin from being excreted.
- Pancreatic Issues: Pancreatic cancer can sometimes block the bile duct that passes through the pancreas.
- Hemolytic Anemia: This condition causes red blood cells to break down too quickly, producing more bilirubin than the liver can handle.
- Newborn Jaundice: It's common in infants, especially premature babies, as their livers are still developing. It often resolves on its own but sometimes requires treatment.
- Certain Medications: Some drugs can cause liver damage or affect bilirubin processing.
When to See a Doctor
If you notice any yellowing of your skin or eyes, especially if you're an adult, it's crucial to see a doctor promptly. While newborn jaundice is often benign, adult jaundice almost always signals an underlying medical problem that requires diagnosis and treatment. Seek immediate medical attention if jaundice is accompanied by:
- Fever or chills
- Abdominal pain
- Dark urine or pale stools
The information above is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider before making medication decisions.
MedlinePlus overview of Jaundice
Jaundice causes your skin and the whites of your eyes to turn yellow. Too much bilirubin causes jaundice. Bilirubin is a yellow chemical in hemoglobin, the substance that carries oxygen in your red blood cells. As red blood cells break down, your body builds new cells to replace them. The old ones are processed by the liver. If the liver cannot handle the blood cells as they break down, bilirubin builds up in the body and your skin may look yellow.
Many healthy babies have some jaundice during the first week of life. It usually goes away. However, jaundice can happen at any age and may be a sign of a problem. Jaundice can happen for many reasons, such as:
Blood diseases
Genetic syndromes
Liver diseases, such as hepatitis or cirrhosis
Blockage of bile ducts
Infections
Medicines
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine. MedlinePlus topic page. Topic date: 10/16/2006. MedlinePlus file date: 10/15/2026 02:30:37.
This information is educational and is not medical advice.