pain drugs with hep c question

is vicodin or oxiecotin ok to take for pain while having hep c? i cracked a couple ribs a week ago and still need to work so at night so i thought i would try something..in fact i have a little....thanks...billy

[fretboard]

Enjoy your prescription but when you're done, you may want to stay away from all opiates.  There are varying thoughts on this subject, but if you read the link you may agree.  

http://ajp.amjpathol.org/cgi/content/full/167/5/1189

[fretboard]

My bad!  If it don't work this time just google (opiates and hepc)


http://ajp.amjpathol.org/cgi/content/full/167/5/1189

[willbb]

As you probably already know , all drugs we take make the liver work harder to help us get rid of their toxins, and with HCV always best to have the liver not have to do extra work. having said that we all take different medications for things,just be careful with those two and others in the same class.

[GSDgirl]

I would steer clear of acetaminophen.  I still don't take it.  I hope your ribs heal quickly

Denise

[HectorSF]

It all depends on how advanced your liver disease is.

If you have cirrhosis it will speed up the damage to you liver. Sometime you have to take meds. I just had kidney stone surgery a month ago. So what could I do?

Tylenol/Acetaminophen (a set a mee' noe fen) is THE SAFEST drug to take. As long as you don't take too much. It is the ONLY analgesic that people with cirrhosis are suppose to take.

If you don't have much fibrosis or scaring you should to be able to take  anything you need.

Hope you feel better soon.
hectorsf

[Bill1954]

Hi Billy—

I agree with Hector; taken in recommended doses, the acetaminophen component of the narcotic drugs is probably fine in terms of liver health. Things like ibuprofen and other NSAID drugs tend to affect the way our blood clots; something that is already an issue, especially with advanced liver disease.

Narcotics are generally considered liver friendly, but of course have other, obvious issues of their own; especially if taken over long periods. As you know, none of us are doctors or are aware of your medical history; so be sure to check with your MD if you have further questions.

Good luck, sorry to hear you got hurt; man, ribs take a long time to heal. Don’t cough or laugh :o)—

Bill

[ClippedWings]

Concur with Hector and Bill.  I went through the full course with Hep C including a transplant.  When I was Cirrhotic and even post-transplant the doctors allowed up to 2000mg Tylenol/day.  When that wasn't enough they would prescribe Oxycodone.  There are downsides to the opiates, but they aren't as ricky as the NSAIDS (asprin, motrin, aleve, etc.) in the presence of severe liver damage.  Good luck.