Prescription Drugs and Liver damage.

[Abalone]

Many of the over the counter drugs and the prescription drugs can cause liver problems. Ibuprofen is one of them and there are many others. Most of the drugs are absorbed through the liver. What I worry about is taking multiple drugs that all have this effect.

A couple years ago I had to see a Urologist about a problem. He looked at the list of drugs I was taking and urged me to ceast taking them. 800 mgs. of Motrin for example.

He told me that he sees lots of people with bad livers caused by over medication. Doctors aren't cautious enough.

So today I have an appointment with my Primary care provider and he is going to chew me out for not taking that many many pills that Kaiser has prescribed.

So my question is: Has anyone on IFISH had a liver related problem from taking too many Prescription drugs....? I'd really like to know.

[StickFish]

I know you're in a different category with the issues you've had cardiovascular wise, so what goes for the normal person maybe totally different for you and your cocktail - so follow your Dr. recommendations cause I'm not one and I did NOT stay at a Holiday Inn last night.

Personally, I've not had any problem, but I get tested for it on a routine basis (Blood Pressure Meds). One thing, I've seen lots of reference to Ibuprofen causing liver problems and here is my understanding from my Doctor. Tylenol (and its generic) will cause liver problems and there is a warning on the bottle especially if you consume alcohol.

There is no such warning on Motrin/Advil or its generic Ibuprofen. The warning with this class of drugs is from bleeding from the stomach or other related organs.

Here is the FDA item that covers both, google search terms were Ipuprophen Liver damage and it was the first hit and is from 2003. An earlier FDA advisory from 1998 was somewhat different cautioning on both when consumed with Alcohol

http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2003/103_pain.html

So, I'm overly active with racquetball (when not injured) and for usually 8 months out of the year I take high doses of Ibuprophen (I call it vitamin I my daily vitamin supplement) between 800 and 1200mg three times a day, and get tested for liver problems on a routine basis - test results are right bang in the middle of the normal range.

[retaliate]

Originally Posted by StickFish

I know you're in a different category with the issues you've had cardiovascular wise, so what goes for the normal person maybe totally different for you and your cocktail - so follow your Dr. recommendations cause I'm not one and I did NOT stay at a Holiday Inn last night.

Personally, I've not had any problem, but I get tested for it on a routine basis (Blood Pressure Meds). One thing, I've seen lots of reference to Ibuprofen causing liver problems and here is my understanding from my Doctor. Tylenol (and its generic) will cause liver problems and there is a warning on the bottle especially if you consume alcohol.

There is no such warning on Motrin/Advil or its generic Ibuprofen. The warning with this class of drugs is from bleeding from the stomach or other related organs.

Here is the FDA item that covers both, google search terms were Ipuprophen Liver damage and it was the first hit and is from 2003. An earlier FDA advisory from 1998 was somewhat different cautioning on both when consumed with Alcohol

http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2003/103_pain.html

So, I'm overly active with racquetball (when not injured) and for usually 8 months out of the year I take high doses of Ibuprophen (I call it vitamin I my daily vitamin supplement) between 800 and 1200mg three times a day, and get tested for liver problems on a routine basis - test results are right bang in the middle of the normal range.

I too belive Ibuprofin is easier on your liver than Tylenol, or Asprin.

[drano100]

Originally Posted by retaliate

I too belive Ibuprofin is easier on your liver than Tylenol, or Asprin.

That’s true it does a number on your kidneys though especially is you took high doses of it before 1990 they changed makeup of it about then.
I'm dealing with this right now, if you catch it early survivability without transplant is good, if not caught early(in most cases) transplant is needed, Alonzo Morning had this problem and transplant a few years ago.

[StickFish]

I probably started taking high doses of Ibuprofen about 1993 or 94. Hum, maybe I can find some pre-1990 bottles its been one of those days

[Lou]

There is a limit your organs can take. My kidney function
is a concern, I'm at 32% (kidney. I am not a transplant
option. If your liver is slipping, avoid acholol, especially
with Motrin and the like.
I have neen told that Motrin, was the cause of mine.
Any attorneys want a case?

[STGRule]

My doctor is a stickler for the liver function test. She will not re-new my maintenance drugs without an annual physical and blood work.

[Lou]

Originally Posted by STGRule

My doctor is a stickler for the liver function test. She will not re-new my maintenance drugs without an annual physical and blood work.

Yes, I have mine done semi annually. The darn things will
hurt you, in large amounts.

[PapaHog]

I take so many drugs that I get a complete blood work up every quarter. Then they see something not quite right and give another drug to take care of that problem or they change the drug or dose so damage to my organs are limited.

Fun huh?

[Lou]

Originally Posted by PapaHog

I take so many drugs that I get a complete blood work up every quarter. Then they see something not quite right and give another drug to take care of that problem or they change the drug or dose so damage to my organs are limited.

Fun huh?

You bet. I have a basket of them.

[wannacatchem]

I've been taking 800-1600mg daily ibuprofen for the past two years. I also drink beer. My wife says alot of beer, I say not. Anyway, had my annual physical last month and the blood work is right down the middle. Hopefully the back surgery I'll get in a couple months will eliminate the need for the daily dose......

[Duckwheat]

Ibuprophen is cleared through the kidneys. Max dose is 800mg every 6 hours.

Tylenol is cleared through the liver. I have seen several teens try to commit suicide by overdosing on Tylenol. Killed their liver. Were left to look for a transplant.

Statin meds (lipitor, crestor, zocor, etc...) are cleared through the liver and require careful monitoring.

Next time your Doc or NP will not fill your script without getting your blood work. There is a good reason.

Ace Inhibitors (lisinopril, altace, etc) can create electrolyte problems.

If you do not feel like your primary care practitioner is paying attention, fire them and hire someone new.

DW

[StickFish]

I didn't know that about the ACE inhibitors, I'll have to watch that one.

[Thumper]

There are lots of drug interactions that most physicians seem to ignore.

Among them are antibiotics of the macrolide class (erythromycin, clarithromycin, etc.) and anti-fungal agents (itraconazole --- brand name sporanox). They interfere with metabolism of certain statins (Lipitor), calcium channel blockers (Diltiazem --- also known as Cartia), as well as Lanoxin (Digoxin).

Bad combinations. If, for example, the blood level of Digoxin goes up because its metabolism is being blocked, the result can be fatal.

Here's a helpful hint. Always ask your pharmacist to check for drug interactions for any new prescription that you receive.

The pharmacist is your friend. These folks ought to be paid a lot more!

[Jennie@ifish]

I thought that pharmacies HAD to check, these days. Am I wrong? They said they HAVE to council me, when I get a new one. (I go to Freddies.)

[coldasice]

I have NAFLD Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and can't take anything that goes in to the liver, I have to be really careful what I take.

Dawn

[Thumper]

Originally Posted by Jennie@ifish

I thought that pharmacies HAD to check, these days. Am I wrong? They said they HAVE to council me, when I get a new one. (I go to Freddies.)

Freddie's computers have saved many patients from serious or even deadly drug interactions. I think they are the best!

Physicians have become very irresponsible about this. Knowing that the pharmacy computers are covering their errors, the docs no longer (in many cases) even try to keep up.

[StickFish]

Originally Posted by Thumper

snip

Physicians have become very irresponsible about this. Knowing that the pharmacy computers are covering their errors, the docs no longer (in many cases) even try to keep up.

My prior GP got to meet a very mad stickfish one afternoon hot off the plane from West Virginia cause he didn't know about the changes he was making in my cocktail and what would happen.

I had been taking a BETA blocker for several years and my body had gotten used to it and my BP was increasing again. So he has me stop taking the BETA (cold turkey) and switch to a calcium channel blocker. So I head off to the East coast for a business meeting and by Weds. I ca tell my BP is high (can feel it in my eyes) so I call to check about increasing the dose. He has me check my BP (took cuff with me) 220/180 - he says, "HANG up and call 911." This was Martinsburg West Virgina - needless to say I drove myself to ER. Triage nurse took me at the same time as a gun shot wound. Had to just love the call home to my wife. Anyhow I get chewed out by the ER Doctor cause my GP told me to cold turkey away from the Beta - your supposed to spend a couple weeks slowly reducing the dosage. My heart had not seen adrenalin in a few years and it was having a party! I finally got out of ER about 2am and while driving back to the hotel canceling my meeting and getting the first flight off the gate at Dulles. When I got to my prior GP's office I ended up needing to be escorted from the building cause I was a tad belligerent with him for almost killing me.

If you take anything - read up on it ask questions. If they ask you to stop taking something - read up and ask questions.

[MsOutdrs]

He told me that he sees lots of people with bad livers caused by over medication. Doctors aren't cautious enough.


Drs. are too darned anxious to just prescribe drugs to fix everything. My mom participated in a drug study years ago, taking ibprofin(sp?) for her arthritis. What resulted was not liver issues but many tiny stomach ulcers. Long story short, years later she ended up in a foster care place...in a lot of pain from another issue that the hospital/dr's didn't treat/diagnose correctly...they drugged her up to eliminate the pain...she was like in a comotose state. They thought she had colon cancer cause she was bleeding quite heavily. No cancer EVER in any of her family. I think she died from loss of blood due to massive stomach ulcers as a result of too much of that ibprofen in her earlier years. Just my opinion. (PS...my brothers wouldn't listen to me....urrrggg)
All drugs are reported to have serious side affects over time. I guess you just have to pick which problem you want to have...Granted, I'm no expert...like they say "JMHO"

[uspolymer]

Prescription drugs kill over 125,000 people per year!~

http://daily.stanford.edu/article/20...op125000Deaths

[Thumper]

Originally Posted by uspolymer

Prescription drugs kill over 125,000 people per year!~

http://daily.stanford.edu/article/20...op125000Deaths

I think that you misunderstood the article. It appears to say that patients fail to take their prescribed medications because of their fears about side effects. That is what causes the estimated 125,000 deaths.

[Ryan Pultz]

I know my Dr warned me about my lipitor and whants a blood test ever four or so months so far the list of drugs I am on is
IB 800mg
Byetta injection for diabetes
Metphormin for diabetes
lipitor cholesterol
paxil cause I am insain
and one more I think hell I take to many to remember rp

[Fish_N_Russ]

Yeah that was a really stoopid thing your doc did........I take Toprol XL/Metaprolol and Lotrel and if I stop either one cold I really start to feel it the next day.

Originally Posted by StickFish

My prior GP got to meet a very mad stickfish one afternoon hot off the plane from West Virginia cause he didn't know about the changes he was making in my cocktail and what would happen.

I had been taking a BETA blocker for several years and my body had gotten used to it and my BP was increasing again. So he has me stop taking the BETA (cold turkey) and switch to a calcium channel blocker. So I head off to the East coast for a business meeting and by Weds. I ca tell my BP is high (can feel it in my eyes) so I call to check about increasing the dose. He has me check my BP (took cuff with me) 220/180 - he says, "HANG up and call 911." This was Martinsburg West Virgina - needless to say I drove myself to ER. Triage nurse took me at the same time as a gun shot wound. Had to just love the call home to my wife. Anyhow I get chewed out by the ER Doctor cause my GP told me to cold turkey away from the Beta - your supposed to spend a couple weeks slowly reducing the dosage. My heart had not seen adrenalin in a few years and it was having a party! I finally got out of ER about 2am and while driving back to the hotel canceling my meeting and getting the first flight off the gate at Dulles. When I got to my prior GP's office I ended up needing to be escorted from the building cause I was a tad belligerent with him for almost killing me.

If you take anything - read up on it ask questions. If they ask you to stop taking something - read up and ask questions.