Tylenol, Aleve or Ibuprofen....which to choose?

[GB2007]

I've heard that none are safe for the diseased liver. Is this true?  Fevers, joint pain....I dont know which to use. The doc said pick one.  I'm not sure what to think of my doc.

[painterlady13]

there are a lot of different opinions about pain relievers.  I see a liver (HCV) specialist who said that while not on TX it was ok to take ibuprofin and aleve but while on TX Tylenol only and only 2000 mg per day (the norm reccomendation for a non HCV person is 3000mg) But this is just one Doc's opinion and as I said there are many opinions

[GB2007]

I appreciate your input very much.
I am now positive that my doc is not forthcoming with ALL the important info.
After I posted my original question, the "Be in Charge" nurse told me Ibuprofen adds to the ascities.
Be well.

[wyntre9]

i'm almost positive my doc said no tylenol.  i didn't listen, and last week i took it at night several times and i developed severe nose bleeding and lots of bruises.  i stopped the tylenol and the bleeding went away.
but that's just my reaction.
wyntre

[honey11]

Hi GB,,,,See,,it looks like still this is a back and forth discussion because I txed during 2004 for a one year and was told ibuprofen but no tylenol lol  so who knows...
I say whatever works best for you to relief symptoms but of course in moderation only.  I only took if it was really needed.

[Kalio1]

I too was told any of those are fine BUT no more than 2000mg a day. I prefer ibuprophen because it is processed by the kidneys not out liver.

Welcome to the forum!

[NYgirl]

As long as you don't overdue it on any of them I think it's fine if you take them WHEN NEEDED.  (I always take two tylenol on shot night though as suggested)

However taking more than you are supposed to is NEVER a good thing for ANYONES liver.

Two is perfectly fine. My doctor told me to try and take tylenol if possible as the NSaids and Ibuprofen change your blood chemistry and the acetaminophen does not.  I like that he explainned WHY and didn't just say "dont take"...I don't work well without a reasoninng!

Still - Advil is NECESSARY to avoid the migraines I get and I've had to take it a few times during treatment (week 68 of 72 coming up).  You HAVE to do what you have to do in those circumstances.

[painterlady13]

Oh my goodness I can't believe you have only 4 weeks left of TX.  When I first started posting here, you were already well into TX (I think week 20) and still 72 weeks seemed so far away. You are my hero... withstanding that long on this nasty c**p.  Way to go woman I wish you thte best and SVR forever!!!!

[wyntre9]

fyi,

Answer:

Tylenol (acetaminophen) is toxic to the liver in large doses (such as in suicidal attempts where a patient ingests large amounts, often more than 10 grams of the medication), and also in situations where a patient drinks alcohol heavily while taking high doses of Tylenol. Tylenol with alcohol ingestion can be toxic to the liver with lower doses of Tylenol than without the alcohol.

Otherwise, for the general population, both Tylenol and Motrin (ibuprofen, an NSAIDS) have low(<1%) liver toxicity at the regular, recommended doses. Moreover, both drugs can usually be used, in the recommended doses prescribed by a physician, reasonably safely for the "flu" symptoms caused by interferon used for treating chronic hepatitis C.

With advanced, complicated cirrhosis from hepatitis C, for which interferon is rarely used, all drugs, including these, must be prescribed with great caution, if at all. In addition, in these patients with advanced cirrhosis, NSAIDS, including Motrin, can worsen or even precipitate hepatorenal syndrome (a serious condition with both liver and kidney failure) and possibly induce intestinal bleeding.

wyntre

[NYgirl]

It's so hard to believe it's almost here!!!!!!  Now I'm already starting to get the 'scareds' for the BIG question you know? But at least I know if it were to come back at least there isn't anything more I could have possiibly done. I hope adding the extra time worked but also hope that people don't look at whatever will be from ME as proof of if it works or not. I keep thinking boy what if I do relapse...it might turn others off from doing it.

But I AM a 1A and also a 1B so my circumstances might be different. I have two of them to get the pacmen to munch on you know?

I just can't wait to see what it feels like to be normal.

[Bill1028]

In my situation with low platelets, varacies, anemia, and cirrhosis, my doc said Tylenol is my best bet.  He said 1 Tylenol PM on shot night would have no effect on the liver.  Advil is an anti coagulant and thin blood is last thing that I need.  Just be sure that acetaminophen isn't in any other over the counter items.

[merlino]

My liver Dr. said ok to take Aleve but I limit myself to 2 on shot night and only if my fevers get bad during the week do I take anymore.

Hey Deb Happy new Year - the finish line almost here!!!!!! I am very jealous.

Hey Rev, hope you family is doing well. Have kept Margaret in my prayers.

[goldyn]

Took 2 liquid advil when needed never usually more then twice a day....Doc said it was ok ..i was stage 2

[merlino]

Scott, I hope all goes well. You and your family will be in my thoughts. Margaret is always in my prayers.

[Pdilly]

Both are in my prayers too.

[orphanedhawk]

I don't use any of these. I did use tylenol the first shot night but now I use herbs. I use bromelain and tumeric to reduce swelling ( thats what ibuprophen does). Bromelain is made from pineapple. And I smoke homegrown.

[ladybug52]

I think a lot of us are not real thrilled with their dr's. Is this the dr who led you to this tx? If so, he's good for something at least! Sounds like tylenol is safest, my brother was allowed to take that with his cirrohsis. Best of luck. I like your attitude too, up early and no one's making you get out of bed!
Bug

[GB2007]

Good Morning

Yes Ladybug, this is the doc (gastro) that has helped me for the last year and has put me on these meds.  In hind sight, I realized every time I saw him he said "Are u sure u want to go thru with this?".  This is the same guy who said " I had to do the AV's " to satisy the transplant requirements.
My last appointment with him, while he was reading my CBC he said "This is incredible". He repeated it over and over. Then said ,"I just may have bumped it back to stage 3". Done by clean living, exercise, eating right and lots of prayer. I also swear by dandelion and milk thistle.

Hang in There

Gary

[Cindy10]

I was told to take 1 aleve before shot and 1 the following day. Other than that I can take two tylenol twice a day if needed.

[ladybug52]

My doctors said tx was optional at my stage, but both said they would treat if it were them. Then when I decided to treat both wanted me to wait till after the holidays. I was not going to change my mind so I got one of them to let me start 12/08. I think they want to make you responsible for your choice by asking over and over if this is what you want to do. There are so many sides to tx and your doctor isn't 100% sure of the outcome, no one is. I switched back today to the dr. that wanted me to wait till after the holidays to treat. She is so much warmer and nicer.
I'm so glad you're working on getting better. Here is one of my favorite sayings:
Sorrow looks behind
Worry looks around
Faith looks up.
All the best
Janice