side effects from sporanox

[dlipglop]

My daughter (4 yrs old) and I (28 yrs) were put on high doses of Sporanox  every day for about 2 months after living in a "sick house." The doctor who prescribed the drug assured us that it was innocuous, which I have since learned isn't at all true, especially for a child. We have developed a host of symptoms after stopping the drug 4 months ago. Consistent trips to several doctors have resulted in no diagnosis or treatment. My wife and I are frustrated and want to know what kind of long-term health situation my daughter and I are facing (my wife was pregnant at the time and didn't take the drug).  



Here are the symptoms--in order of their appearance--with the first few symptoms starting toward the end of the treatment and the last few appearing in the past few weeks. My daughter and I share all of them, except for the flushed face and alcohol reaction:



1)loose, tan/grey-colored stools (color has improved as of late)

2)sharp abdominal pain in lower quadrants; achy pain in upper right and left (lower pain has somewhat abated, upper right has gotten worse)

3)nausea/vomiting

4)back pain/kidney pain

5)excessive thirst

6)reactions to alcohol (a few drinks makes me lethargic for about a week, and significantly worsens other symptoms)

7)flushed appearance in face (if I touch my forehead, it leaves a yellowish imprint that lasts for several seconds)

8)difficulty sleeping (I get jittery when I sleep, and often wake up gasping for breath)

9)purple rings/bags under and around eyes

10)foul, bitter taste in mouth



Here are the tests we have received over the past few months:

MYSELF: LIVER ENZYMES (four months ago, normal, enzymes in the 10s) CT SCAN of abdomen and pelvis (6 wks ago, normal) COLONOSCOPY (one month ago, benign polyp removed)

MY DAUGHTER: LIVER ENZYMES (1 month ago, 1 enzyme elevated above normal, can't remember which one, but it was in the 130s, others were elevated but not out of range) X-RAY of abdomen and chest (1 month ago, normal)



Here are my questions:

1)Are our enzyme tests acceptable, or should they be repeated? My daughter's were slightly elevated, but the physician who did the test said that was to be expected after a round of Sporanox. Should mine be repeated after such a lapse in time (4 months), or are they unlikely to have changed? I am a moderate drinker (although I've stopped now).  

2)Are the blood and imaging tests (CT scan [me] and X-ray [daughter]) adequate to assess liver damage? If they are, then what other explanations could there be for these symptoms? Could our livers/digestive systems just be inflamed? I don't understand how these symptoms could persist for so long without any discernible damage or biomarker.

3)If we are suffering from hepatotoxicity,  how can it be determined if it's reversible? What long-term prognosis would be likely? Could these symptoms accompany reversible liver damage?

4)What steps can I take to report the doctor who prescribed the drug? He lied to me about the side effects.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

To answer your questions:

1) I can't really comment on whether the liver tests are acceptable without knowing which one specifically was elevated.  If there continues to be concern about the enzymes, repeating them periodically is reasonable.



2) An ultrasound would be a more helpful imaging test.  As for other causes of the symptoms - there are many diseases that can lead the the symptoms.  If the upper and lower endoscopy as well as CT scans were negative, it is time to consult a GI physician for more specialized testing.  



3) The question of reversibility would depend on what is causing the liver damage (if any).  If there is concern about liver damage in the setting of elevated enzymes, a biopsy can be considered.



4) If you are concerned about a physician's actions, more information can be found at your state medical board of registration.



Followup with your personal physician is essential.



This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.



Kevin, M.D.

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