my L-5 S-1 disk has completely disintegrated (started 11 years ago) my primary Dr. had me on different pain meds most recently Norco (4-5years) until i was hospitalized (sept.3 2012) with liver failure, then diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis Sept. 11 2012 then was put on Vicoprofen for pain, and Imuran, and Prednisone for the AIH but i just saw the Vicoprofen has a Hepatotoxicity also, my back pain is completely off the charts, and not going away, is there any pain meds NOT hepatotoxic?
What painkillers are safe for people with autoimmune liver disease?
Question posted by passionandpain76 on 28 Feb 2013
Last updated on 19 September 2015
Answers
lolalove88
13 March 2014
I had Chronic Hep B diagnosed in 1991 until liver transplant in 2011. For pain due to liver/gall bladder related issues my doctor prescribed generic oxycodone and/or generic hydrocodone. These drugs are available without the added tylenol, which, as mentioned in an earlier answer, is the most hepatotoxic ingredient in traditional pain meds. It's coincidental that two years after my transplant, I began to have serious complications, and was diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis. I too am on Imuran (azathioprine) and prednisone (40 mg/day). Unfortunately, my two year old liver is now cirrhotic, fortunately I am in no pain. Can you recommend any AIH support groups?
MizB
19 Sep 2015
I was diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis on 9/11/13. Imuran has worked very well for me. My primary concern now is my crippling osteoarthritis. I tried a hydrocodone with tylenol tab and was able to sleep but vomited my daily meds the next morning. I will ask my Doc, thank you for the info.
DzooBaby
28 Feb 2013
Almost any drug passes through the liver to be metabolized. You might be better off taking just plain morphine. You certainly dont want to be on any combo meds that have the opioid in combination with acetaminophen or ibuprofen. It is not so much the opioid that is the problem, it is the acetaminophen and ibuprofen that are hard on the liver.
DzooBaby
28 Feb 2013
I would recommend that you talk to your Dr who is handling the liver failure what he recommends as the best pain medication in your case.
passionandpain76
7 March 2013
thanks so much for ur comment, i knew the acetaminophen was hard on the liver, and was comfortable with the dr. changing me to the combo with ibuprofen instead, but upon further research found it wasnt much better i do plan on discussing the issue with my liver dr. but dont have an appointment with him till may, and he's several hours away, was hoping to find something to take to my primary to convince him that he needs to find something safer for me, but seems nothing is safe.
Snowangel81
21 June 2013
A dr once said if liver enzymes stay elevated that oxycodone is bad on liver and morphine is better who knows
passionandpain76
30 June 2013
I had my follow up appointment with my liver dr. in May, everything looks good as far as the blood work all my #s are back to normal, he still wants me to stay on the Imuran, at the current dose, which scares me, but it seems to be working so i'll keep it up. the issue with the pain was addressed, and he wrote me a script for lortab 10/500 i was crushed, and confused, liver dr. putting me back on a liver toxic drug, i don't get it, i didn't fill it at first, and seen my primary and explained how concerned i was, and he wrote me script for the vicoprofen again, but turns out that's twice the cost of the lortab, since i don't have the money i went ahead and figured my liver Dr.
should know better, so if its alright with him, maybe i should try the lortab out, after all the pain is so unbearable i need to try something, but i'm still having problem with the fact that there isn't something safer or is there and they don't want to be bothered with the high restrictions that come with it. because i do know there are plenty of pain meds out there, stronger than the acetaminophen and you'd think since we are talking about a piece of my spine completely gone i'd be a candidate for something stronger than acetaminophen wouldn't ya? i did raise concern about the combo meds, and even threw in the fact that after all these years on the same med there seems to be a tolerance issue. and all the research and advice i've gotten about the metabolizing issue from a damaged liver, seems doctors dont take a liking to patients referring to internet medical advice that contradicts their medical advice
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autoimmune disorders, pain, back pain, liver
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