Complications

The jaundice produced by Gilbert’s syndrome is mild. However, extremely elevated bilirubin levels may require drugs like phenobarbital.

The enzyme which is abnormal in Gilbert’s syndrome is one that plays a role in clearing a number of medications in the body. Hence its deficiency (as in Gilbert’s syndrome) may lead to increased side effects of certain drugs like:

• Irinotecan, a cancer chemotherapy drug - accumulation of the drug cause severe diarrhoea
• Indinavir: drug used in people with HIV infection

Prognosis

Prognosis (outlook) is excellent.