Lipitor and liver function
Common Questions and Answers about Lipitor and liver function
lipitor
Recent studies have found that statins like Lipitor acutally improve liver function in patients with liver disease and the incidence rate of liver failure is not turning out to be as high as originally thought. In fact, the FDA is considering dropping the liver failure side effect from the patient leaflet and consumer information.
Muscle aches and pains or even burning and tingling can be due to Lipitor. This drug can cause kidney and liver dysfunction and this may cause the feeling of internal shakiness. I suggest you get a kidney and liver function test and talk to your doctor regarding all this being due to Lipitor.
It is difficult to bring down a BP of 155/110 by diet and exercise only. However if there is an underlying cause such as kidney or liver problem, then treating the cause may help.
People taking lipitor are recommended to avoid alcohol in their diet because it raises the triglyceride levels, another lipid which is a risk factor for heart disease. Going to soft drinks would be far more beneficial for your body obviously but if this is impossible I would switch your lipitor to the mornings. Lipitor, unlike some statin drugs, can be taken any time of the day.
I agree with rexx.
Having cirrhosis and asking laymen for medical advice as to what drugs you should take in my opinion is a poor idea. Only a liver specialist can determine what drugs are safe for someone with cirrhosis. Especially now that you have gotten rid of the cause of your liver disease and don't want to add any further damage.
My father is 51 years old now and in August 2008 had a heart attack,the doctor advised him to use lipitor,lowplat.mepresor and loprine, his ALT and AST count in november 2008 was 30 and 22 respectively, by the use of lipitor his ALT ans AST count raised to 2246 and 1280 ... clearly above normal... doctor advised him t leave the use of lipitor. my question t you is ... by leaving lipitor will the count decrease?? or what should be done??
Remember that these drugs [statins] are often associated with side-effects including nausea, headaches, dizziness, sleep disturbances, sexual dysfunction, fatigue, shortness of breath, memory loss, liver problems, muscle weakness, muscle pain, peripheral neuropathy and cardiomyopathy due to a depletion of Coenzyme Q10.
How long has it been since you had labs done? The lab work always shows you Liver Function test and Kidneys as well. They seem to come together. You may just have an allergic reaction to some med. I've had those before only a prescription antihistimine worked. Plus finding out what the source of the allergie was. Yes part of liver problems involve itching, when your biliruben goes up. I'm not an expert. Just offering my opinion.
Lori, all the cholesterol meds work in slightly different fashions, so you may want to consider talking to your doc about trying a different brand like Crestor, or? You could also discuss the use of red yeast rice, if your doc is a functional medicine doc, or perhaps think about trying the niacin-based meds.
Cholesterol meds can cause muscle weakness and pain. No matter what you're on in the future, make sure the doc checks your enzyme levels regularly.
The HBVDNA trend is up and down, the liver function is very stable. Western doctors probably will ask you to start antivirals. Then some patients, as long as ALT/AST are stable, will do nothing in terms of antiviral treatments, only adjust life style to be liver friendly. My uncle in China was diagnosed with HBsAg+ in his 30s and never was on antivirals. He monitors his liver function only. If elevated he would take some herbs, otherwise nothing. Now he is in his 80s.
Hi ! Been wanting to catch up with you. The first rheumy said I have RA and the new one I went to says I don't. My nuclear whole body scan shows most EVERY joint in my body to be degenerative. (does that mean erosion)? I do have that positive RA Factor and have pain. But now I don't know if I may have Lupus. My Lupus labs are negative including the DNA. Can they eventually become positive?
AST on upper end of normal at 40. The doctor said to stop the Lipitor...but stay on the Zetia...... and retest in 1-1/2 weeks which he did this past Sept. 30th. His ALP came down to normal at 91, his ALT stayed the same at 79, his AST stayed relatively the same at 42, but his GGTP went quite high at 240. The doctor's office called and told him to come in next week.
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