Kickas.org Forums Treatments, Drugs and Alternatives AS Pharmacy Liver toxicity

Hope it's OK to start a thread that isn't specifically about 1 drug but I think this subject concerns many here. As we know many of these drugs are toxic to the liver, some more than others. Without reading through each and every drug, does anyone know which of these drugs may not be as harmful to the liver? I realize they all have their harmful effects, but liver toxicity is my main question now because I've had to go on other medication that's also toxic to liver. Thanks


This bunny Kicks AS !

Hi Snowshoe,

From what I undersstand, don't look at any of the NSAIDS to be liver friendly. If you take any narcotic, they now have a non-acetometifen version af all the major ones (percocet, morphine, demoral, ect.) These have little if no effect on the liver, it's the acteomifen that does a number on the liver. I don't know the names of most of these new drugs off the top of my head, but the version of percocet is called oxy-fast and oxy-IR. Oxyfast is a liquid and actually has the advantage of working extremly fast. OxyIR is a pill and tends to work faster than percocet. Stay away from tylonol, advil, and other over the counter pain meds, and also check the labels of OTC medicines such as cough-syrup to see if it has acedometiphen in it. (Yes, I know I spelled the A word wrong 3 times and 3 different ways, so sue me}

Take care my friend

Daniel

Keep on keepin on Kicking some AS

Well I was looking for something other than pain pills although that may be the only solution . It's the MTX that unfortunately I have to quit so was wondering if any are better, particularly the newer drugs. The NSAIDs have done nothing for me.


This bunny Kicks AS !

I can only speak of two drugs that I know to be difficult on the liver (first hand experience).

Voltarin - only took a year before elevated liver enzymes appeared (i.e. liver toxicity)

Sulfasalazine/Azulfadine - I was on for 6 yrs and began to have issues with it this past March. I have transitioned over to the NSD now.

The azulfadine worked very well for me.

Take care,

Tim

I don't know to much about all of the medications. But I was on Vioxx which was more harmful than what I have switched to. I have heard and doctors have said as well that Mobic is not as harmful to the liver as the older ones. This anti-inflammatory is working great for me. It is very new and I have heard that it is better. I am 21 and really small and need to really watch out for my liver and kidneys with these meds. I hope that helps.

heya snowshoe.

well... my liver numbers have gone wacky. and because of that... the treatments are VERY limited. my rheumy ... and the gastro doc i saw for liver tests recommended remicade as really being the only one of the AS treatments that is not toxic to the liver.

wacky wacky stuff. hang in there.
anthony

How long were you on Vioxx before problems developed?

Betty (The Energizer Bunny)

Hi,
The liver involvment is a scary thing for all of us and I think we've all asked the same question, either to one another or to our doctors with not much luck in finding any answers. The major reason for it being that just about 99% of them can effect the liver sooner or later. Like Dan said..most of the pain killers he mentioned don't bother the liver to much and after trying just about every drug out there for AS, this is all I am left with for now.
I was also on the methotrexate, which ended up damaging my liver immensly.
This left a problem with trying the drugs such as enbrel and remicade etc...
My rheumy did give enbrel a shot ( no pun intended) because at least if the liver problems arised...once stopped it would be out of my system within 48 hours, whereas the remicade stays in the system for at least 2 weeks, which could cause some serious problems if liver trouble popped up.
That's one thing to take into consideration if ever trying one of these.
You should be ok as long as you keep up with monthly or bi-monthly blood work.
Don't know if anything I wrote helped much.
I guess my main point was...there are chances your taking with just about any drug, but as long as you keep a watchful eye out for the possible consequences, you should be ok
I hope the new meds work for you.
Take care and hugs to you,
Lisa

Vioxx was the first anti-inflammatory I used after being diagnosed. While I was on it I was still in pain, compared to now that I am on mobic. About 6 months into it I was just getting stomach aches and diarrhea, I never had much more than that. Then I started Mobic and my doctor said that it was softer on my stomach but I don't know what to believe because I am leaving there because I don't feel like he is keeping up on current drug and AS info. I have now been on Mobic for 8 months and haven't had any problems not to mention feeling so mych better then when I was on vioxx.
Hope this helps
shannon

I was wondering if there were any clear symptoms of liver toxicity?
I vaguely remember a doctor telling me that you have to keep taking blood tests, and that you won't get noticeable symptoms until the damage is quite severe.
??