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Liver Transplant (Expert Forum)
Possible liver damage from pain medication?
Answered by
Thomas D Schiano, MD - Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology, Liver Transplantation, Hepatology
The Mount Sinai Medical Center
New York - NY
Questions posted in the Liver Transplant . Forum are answered by medical professionals from The Mount Sinai Medical Center.
Possible liver damage from pain medication?
by BIRDMAN1385, Mar 17, 2009 11:37PM
I'm not sure if this is an appropriate forum for this question, but here it goes I hope I can find help. My question relates to liver damage related to the use/abuse of pain medication. By pain medication I mean OTC(Tylenol/Advil) and of course, Vicodin and Percocet. The short version is: For the last 10 months I have struggled with lower back pain. I am 24 years old, 6'5'', 220lbs and generally healthy/athletic build. I started taking a lot of Tylenol(4g a day, but never more), sometimes mixed with Advil to curb my back pain. I then moved on to the doctor and go prescribed Vicodin. Next was the Percocet. I have never considered myself an addict to pain meds, for the most part I used them responsibly. As I type now I have been attending PT for the back pain and have been off any type of pain medication for 3-4 weeks. Anyway to get to my question. Like I said, I never exceeded 4g a day of Tylenol(including the oxy/hydro- APAP), never more than 1g of Advil a day and the most I ever took of Tylenol as a single dose was 1500mgs...and I only did that <10 times. Since reading about the harm that Tylenol especially can have on your liver I have become very concerned. I have never done any hard drugs, the pain meds in the last 8 months or so are the only narcotics I have ever taken. I would take up to 40mgs of oxycodone or hydrocodone a day. What is the reality of liver damage caused by OTC pain meds and narcotic pain meds? Based on what I have written, assuming it's the whole truth, do you think I have any cause for worry after 10 months or so of habitual pain reliever use? I have read some pretty scary stuff and I am anxious about having blood work done at my next physical. Please Help.
Doctor's Answer
by Thomas D Schiano, MD, Mar 18, 2009 06:56AM
, Mar 18, 2009 06:56AM
chronic acetaminophen use is typically not a problem although in rare cases it could be. remember other pain meds such as vicodin and percocet may also contain acetaminophen. NSAIDs have their own toxicity to the liver. Vicodin I think is the worst of them all. As long as your liver tests are OK you would be safe as these would be expected to be abnormal if there was any ongoing liver damage.
Member Comments (3)
by BIRDMAN1385, Mar 17, 2009 11:43PM
Oh boy... I'm sorry, I didn't realize how many people ask about Tylenol related liver damage. I'm sorry if this is a repost but the reason I signed up to this forum was for an answer specific to my particular situation. Thanks in advance.
by BIRDMAN1385, Mar 18, 2009 06:59AM
Thanks Doctor! I feel much better heading to get some blood work done! : )
