Aa
pain meds
What kind of pain medication can you take when you have cirrhosis, my doc is taking me off of Tramadol
COMMUNITY LEADER
All medication questions are question for your doctor. No laymen can tell you what medications may be safe for you. Each person's cirrhosis is unique and needs to be treated on an individual basis. A lot depends upon how advanced your cirrhosis is and what if any complications you have from your cirrhosis. Only your doctor know the true status of your liver disease or any other conditions or disease you may have.
In general treating chronic pain in patients with chronic liver disease presents a challenge for doctors. Unfortunately there are no concrete guidelines regarding the usage of OTC or prescription pain medications in patients with chronic liver disease. There are preferred opiates drugs that are use in patients with liver disease that have shorter half-lives and have less harmful side effects on the renal system. Your liver doctor should be aware of these drugs and be able to determine if you may be able to use them.
With regards to OTC medications, normal recommended doses of acetaminophen can be safely given to patients who suffer from cirrhosis in the short term. Dosing should be limited to 2 grams per day with regular liver function test monitoring.
Patients should NOT be using any type of NSAIDs due to an associated increased risk of bleeding, renal impairment, and the development of diuretic-resistant ascites.
Generally speaking Tramadol as an opioid pain medication can be problematic so better alternative should be looked into. It is also combined with acetaminophen which is high doses can cause additional damage to the liver.
"ULTRACET contains tramadol HCl and acetaminophen. Acetaminophen has been associated with cases of acute liver failure, at times resulting in liver transplant and death. Most of the cases of liver injury are associated with the use of acetaminophen at doses that exceed 4,000 milligrams per day, and often involve more than one acetaminophen-containing product.
The risk of acute liver failure is higher in individuals with underlying liver disease and in individuals who ingest alcohol while taking acetaminophen.
The dose from all sources of Acetaminophen should be known to prevent taking too much Acetaminophen which can in of itself be toxic to the liver.
Talk to your liver doctor and find out what the best medication is for your pain issues.
Be well.
Hector
In general treating chronic pain in patients with chronic liver disease presents a challenge for doctors. Unfortunately there are no concrete guidelines regarding the usage of OTC or prescription pain medications in patients with chronic liver disease. There are preferred opiates drugs that are use in patients with liver disease that have shorter half-lives and have less harmful side effects on the renal system. Your liver doctor should be aware of these drugs and be able to determine if you may be able to use them.
With regards to OTC medications, normal recommended doses of acetaminophen can be safely given to patients who suffer from cirrhosis in the short term. Dosing should be limited to 2 grams per day with regular liver function test monitoring.
Patients should NOT be using any type of NSAIDs due to an associated increased risk of bleeding, renal impairment, and the development of diuretic-resistant ascites.
Generally speaking Tramadol as an opioid pain medication can be problematic so better alternative should be looked into. It is also combined with acetaminophen which is high doses can cause additional damage to the liver.
"ULTRACET contains tramadol HCl and acetaminophen. Acetaminophen has been associated with cases of acute liver failure, at times resulting in liver transplant and death. Most of the cases of liver injury are associated with the use of acetaminophen at doses that exceed 4,000 milligrams per day, and often involve more than one acetaminophen-containing product.
The risk of acute liver failure is higher in individuals with underlying liver disease and in individuals who ingest alcohol while taking acetaminophen.
The dose from all sources of Acetaminophen should be known to prevent taking too much Acetaminophen which can in of itself be toxic to the liver.
Talk to your liver doctor and find out what the best medication is for your pain issues.
Be well.
Hector
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