Erratic reactions to meds: hi everyone... - British Liver Trust

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Erratic reactions to meds

jay2023 profile image
8 Replies

hi everyone

most of my lfts are normal but ALT can go to around three times max range.

ive found i get strange reactions to drugs recently. ie/ second gen hayfever meds make me sleep, opiates feel they take ages to work then feel to strong, heart meds i now get every side effect listed it feels. basically all drugs legal and not cause unusual reactions.

does anyone else get this?

cheers Jay

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jay2023
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8 Replies
Rufituts profile image
Rufituts

Hi jay2023 it is a little worrying when you get a high reading of ALT, as I have found out recently. Mine was 139 and then 3 weeks later it was 33 (I believe the normal range is (0-45), and yes I was worried with a 139 reading, so I did a bit of digging on google and the medication I take/had taken. I had a UTI (urinary tract infection) a week prior to my blood test with the 139 reading and I’d taken an antibiotics for that - this medication raises ALT! I also take Pregabalin - this raises ALT! I take an antibiotic for Rosacea/Acne - this raises ALT! I was also taking over the counter pain killers, not to excess and these raise ALT! I stopped all medication that would have to be processed by the liver and 3 weeks later my ALT level dropped to 33. Huge relief. Therefore, don’t panic too much, just analyse what you are taking medication wise and look into if these can raise ALT levels. All the best.

Cornflower9 profile image
Cornflower9

Hi jay2023I too have started reacting to medication. One of my conditions is Crohn's

Disease up to now any meds make me ill, even ended up in hospital with one medication..

I have recently started Metformin for Diabetes tried to increase dose felt

Really sick had to lower dosage again.

I get quite anxious when new meds are mentioned.

jay2023 profile image
jay2023 in reply toCornflower9

hi corn. thx for the reply. can u elaborate a bit on the types of reactions u have and to what. i especially find opiates cause a lot of new issues.

which drug hospitalized u?

thx jay x

Rshc profile image
Rshc

my partner often gets a strong reaction to meds, there have been various drugs inc one diuretic and drugs for arthritis he cannot take due to experiencing numerous side effects. We always think he is just more likely to get side effects than some other people

Roy1955 profile image
Roy1955

I wrecked my body with alcohol, that was my drug of choice.I had plenty of warning signs years before cirrhosis but ignored them

Things improved when I quit but some damage was done.

Your using and abusing opiates from the street and OTC meds.

Get help to quit before it's too late and you just might see your kid grow up!

NHmummy profile image
NHmummy

Hi Jay, yes my ALTs are all over the place if I'm fighting an infection or as a result of taking some medicines. I can also have an extreme reaction to lots of drugs. I've been on prednisolone for 10 years now for autoimmune hepatitis and every alternative the Dr tries either I end up in hospital or have horrible side effects. He thinks it could be nocebo effect as it seems like I get every side effect mentioned however I've been left with lasting nerve damage and other problems from some of the medicines I've tried. Also I stopped reading the packet inserts!I have started my own research and discovered that there is a lot of variation in how people metabolize medicines due to genetics affecting the way enzymes work (CYP3A4 amongst others). Around 20/30% of people are either slow or fast metabolisers which can cause toxicity and side effects. So I looked into testing. Precision medicine is used in the USA but here in the UK it's just starting to be on the radar.

Here is some info that I found, there is a useful chart for which gene causes problems for which medicine

iuhealth.org/find-medical-s...

If I find out if I can get tested in the uk I'll post an update.

BW Kim

Oldbits profile image
Oldbits

Hi, you should not be taking opiates if you have liver problems, but you probably know that (addiction is a hard one to beat). A damaged liver cant remove any drugs from your blood stream effectively and so they just keep going round and building up causing more damage which is most likely why you say they feel to strong. If you need pain killers or any other meds then chat to your dr for the best advice, as a liver deteriorates you need less meds as it stays in the system longer. It's basically a balancing act. This could be why you're havin such extreme reactions. Take care of your liver.

Cornflower9 profile image
Cornflower9

As you know all medication is broken down through the Liver.

I was given Azathioprine for Crohn's it started pancreatitis in hospital for 4 days

I was then trialed on Methetrexate my ALT went up to 1000 meds stopped at once.

I was then sent for a fibroscan it was found I had NALFD with Cirrhosis 16.2 kPa.

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