What type of medication would be considered for treating systemic infections, but carries risks such as liver toxicity?

Systemic anti-fungal medications are indeed commonly used to treat systemic infections caused by fungal pathogens. These infections can be quite serious and may require potent medications that act throughout the body rather than being applied locally. While effective in addressing the underlying infection, systemic anti-fungal medications have been associated with certain side effects, one of the most concerning being potential liver toxicity.

Liver toxicity can manifest in various ways, including elevated liver enzymes and, in severe cases, liver damage. This risk necessitates careful monitoring of liver function during treatment, especially in individuals with pre-existing liver conditions or those on concomitant medications that may also affect liver function.

In contrast, the other medication types listed serve different purposes. Topical steroids are primarily used for local inflammation and do not have systemic effects associated with treating infections. Antihistamines are used for allergic reactions rather than infections and generally do not carry high risks of liver toxicity. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can affect the liver but are not primarily used to treat systemic infections. Thus, systemic anti-fungal medications stand out as fitting both the treatment context and the associated risk of liver toxicity.