Liver damage seems to be one of the most common side effects from many popular drugs.
2006-09-04 17:51:03 · 7 answers · asked by Smelly Johnson 1 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Other - General Health Care
By far, most drugs are metabolized by the liver and that's why there's a risk for hepatic injury. The risk is greater with existing hepatic impairment or long term alcohol use and not as great with a healthy liver as long as the dosing instructions are followed.
OTC meds may appear to cause more harm but this is because the potential for abuse is high. People tend to overdo them. Now take morphine sulfate, for example. It is ordered by a physician in a specific dosage amount and administered by a nurse at specific intervals. Not likely to overdo this. So, OTCs are not really more harmful. It's the way in which they are sometimes misused.
Since no pharmaceutical company can know which of its consumers has existing liver disease/impairment or has a long history alcohol use (or can control their use of the meds), the potential liver damage side effect warning fulfills their legal obligation. In addition, when certain meds are prescribed, they are used cautiously with those who have existing liver impairment.
As long as you have no hepatic involvement and you follow directions, you should be fine. And bear in mind that the liver is a marvelous organ that is resilient and capable of regenerating.
The Med Tech above stated that liver enzymes are monitored when a person is on meds. This isn't strictly true. It depends on that person's condition and the med involved. This testing isn't done routinely for everyone. And the Med Tech gave you a lot of lab info you don't need to know.
2006-09-04 18:39:40 · answer #1 · answered by TweetyBird 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some drugs are harder to filter depending on how much is taken. One of the most dangerous is Tylenol because once an overdose is taken, they may save you at first but your liver will continue to fail. There are narcotics that contain acetaminophen(Tylenol) in them, these are popular drugs. Even long time prescription taken correctly can lead to damage.The severity depends on the drug and if alcohol is a factor.
2006-09-04 18:09:28 · answer #2 · answered by livlafluv 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The liver is the detoxifier of the body. And any drug can be toxic to a liver, depending on the enzymes in stock to destry the toxines. Some people don't provide all ness. enzymes and react more sensitive to drugs, alcohol,... Or people just overdose in a short time or long time abuse their organ. When a liver suffers damage some liver specific enzymes are released into the blood and can be tested. Some of them are listed here.
Alanine transaminase (ALT)
Alanine transaminase (ALT), also called Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase (SGPT) or Alanine aminotransferrase (ALAT) is an enzyme present in hepatocytes (liver cells). When a cell is damaged, it leaks this enzyme into the blood, where it is measured. ALT rises dramatically in acute liver damage, such as viral hepatitis or paracetamol (acetaminophen) overdose. Elevations are often measured in multiples of the upper limit of normal (ULN). The reference range is 15-45 U/L in most laboratories.
Aspartate transaminase (AST)
Aspartate transaminase (AST) also called Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase (SGOT) or aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT) is similar to ALT in that it is another enzyme associated with liver parenchymal cells. It is raised in acute liver damage. It is also present in red cells, and cardiac and skeletal muscle. The ratio of AST:ALT is useful in differentiating between causes of acute hepatitis.
Alkaline phosphatase (ALP)
Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is an enzyme in the cells lining the biliary ducts of the liver. ALP levels in plasma will rise with large bile duct obstruction, intrahepatic cholestasis or infiltrative diseases of the liver. ALP is also present in bone and placental tissue, so it is higher in growing children (as their bones are being remodelled). The reference range is usually 30-120 U/L.
That's why MD's have to monitor patients liver enzymes when on Medicatins. To make sure the benefits of the medicine out wages the damage.
2006-09-04 18:10:48 · answer #3 · answered by bineusa 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
From what my doctors lead me to believe, it is not the prescription drugs that damage the liver, but the ones sold over the counter. (OTC)
For instance...Tylenol (Acetaminophen) is VERY rough on your liver, while morphine is not. The only problem with morphine is that it's addictive.
2006-09-04 18:01:00 · answer #4 · answered by Wizard of Oz 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Which drugs? Whos liver? Inquiring minds wanna know...
2006-09-04 17:53:17 · answer #5 · answered by That's a Stupid Question 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Depends on the drug and the person.
2006-09-04 17:56:26 · answer #6 · answered by C K Platypus 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
depends on the drug, how much and how long
2006-09-04 17:56:12 · answer #7 · answered by allison_smith0 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋