![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by nolegirl23 on March 28, 2007, at 16:42:49
Does anybody know whether or not psych meds have an adverse effect on the liver? I know that the human liver is basically a filter for our bodies.
Given that, I also know that people who abuse alcohol have bad livers; i.e. cirrossis of the liver, pancreatitis, ect. I am by no means a medical expert, but my thinking leads me to believe that if alcohol has a negative effect on the liver, than so should psych meds. I know that my body every day has to process 4 mgs of Xanax, 40 mgs of Lexapro, 200 mgs of Lamictal, and 50 mgs of Vistaril..
All of that has to wreak havoc on the liver, am I right?
I guess my question is is my liver in danger as a result of all of the meds that I am on ?
Posted by med_empowered on March 28, 2007, at 16:58:20
In reply to Psych meds, posted by nolegirl23 on March 28, 2007, at 16:42:49
its hard to tell. Some meds--like depakote--can definitely do damage, hence the required blood work. Some, like long-term Benzos, might now and then cause problems. The big problem is that everybody's on a cocktail these days, and no one knows what to expect with all these meds hanging out together all the time. If you're worried, ask about bloodwork--if nothing else, they can test your liver enzymes.
Posted by nolegirl23 on March 28, 2007, at 20:05:47
In reply to Re: Psych meds, posted by med_empowered on March 28, 2007, at 16:58:20
Thanks med-empowered.........
I worry b/c of past alcohol/drug abuse. I will definitely follow up with my doc in reference to my liver.
Thanks!
~ Shanon ~
Posted by Phillipa on March 28, 2007, at 20:15:08
In reply to Re: Psych meds, posted by nolegirl23 on March 28, 2007, at 20:05:47
And mine were messed up this fall when all the things started happening to me. Hope they are alright now as this new pdoc may want to try serzone on me. Love Phillipa
Posted by Quintal on March 28, 2007, at 21:15:38
In reply to Psych meds, posted by nolegirl23 on March 28, 2007, at 16:42:49
Psych meds won't really damage your liver in the same way as alcohol abuse would, although some have the potential to irritate the liver this is incidental. I often wish they would replace the alcohol in booze with a solution of a short-acting benzo like midazolam. Many livers would be saved by it.
Q
Posted by DStupid on March 30, 2007, at 17:53:36
In reply to Psych meds, posted by nolegirl23 on March 28, 2007, at 16:42:49
They do: Straterra, Zyprexa, Seroquel, Valproic Acid, Cylert. I'm sure there's more.
Ask your primary doctor or pdoctor (if he's willing) for a standing order (6 months with the Quest Diagnostics Laboratory in the US) for a comprehensive metabolic panel (blood tests), to be done once a month. The order can be marked STAT (so that the results are ready by the morning of the following day). Ideally, you'd do the baseline test before starting on a med. In any event, always demand and get copies of the lab results. It's a must. Doctors don't read lab results carefully. Believe me, I know. Do not rely on the reference ranges supplied by the lab (they're often wrong on the hepatic panel -- true) and search for the widely-accepted lab ranges. Good luck.
Posted by rvanson on March 31, 2007, at 1:34:06
In reply to Psych meds, posted by nolegirl23 on March 28, 2007, at 16:42:49
Drinking alcohol, long term and daily is bad news for the human body, even without the medications to deal with, IMO.
Posted by rvanson on March 31, 2007, at 1:36:46
In reply to Psych meds, posted by nolegirl23 on March 28, 2007, at 16:42:49
Drinking alcohol, long term and daily is bad news for the human body, even without the medications to deal with, IMO.
Posted by nolegirl23 on March 31, 2007, at 19:53:55
In reply to Re: Psych meds, posted by rvanson on March 31, 2007, at 1:36:46
> Drinking alcohol, long term and daily is bad news for the human body, even without the medications to deal with, IMO.
>
I agree, I did say PAST alcohol and drug abuse. I am currently trying VERY hard to abstain from alcohol.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.