Anyone had high liver enzymes due to IBD meds?
Mon, April 26, 2010 7:51 PM
My son is 12 and was diagnosed with Crohns just over a year ago. He is doing well with treatment, although blood tests show his liver enzymes are high. The doctor is trying to get them lower by stopping some of his meds, and may try lowering the dose of others. Has this happened to anyone before?
I am worried that my son will have trouble tolerating any of the IBD meds out there, since all can result in liver toxicity. I am also worried that we are wrecking his liver with all the treatment.
My son was on 800 mg of Asacol for 9 months and Cipro for about 1 month when the first blood test came back with high liver enzymes. The following blood test was normal, so we didnt worry, and the doctor added Enticort and 50mg of 6 MP (since his Crohns was not under control yet). The idea has been to get rid of some, if not all, the other meds when 6 MP starts working (it takes 3 months to kick in).
It is now 3 months in, and 6 MP should be in effect. However, blood tests over the past 2 months show that the liver enzymes went up again (110 -125 for the ALT). Another test measuring liver toxicity exclusively related to 6 MP came back high as well (over 13,000 for 6 MMP. Should be less than 5,700).
If he cant take 6 MP, I dont know where we will be left. 6 MP was the medicine which was supposed to help him get off steroids and other meds. The meds we haven't tried seem to have even more potential for liver toxicity (Remicade, etc.).
raquelitaJoined Dec 28, 2009
Sun, May 23, 2010 11:44 PM
Reply posted for AZMOM.
My daughter also had trouble with Pentasa/Azothiaprine combo. We couldn't reach therapeutic levels and she was definitely getting liver toxic.
We made the decision to switch to Remicade rather than rely on sterioids to keep her in remission. It made her feel great and her liver function returned to normal.
Joined Jul 4, 2008
Fri, April 30, 2010 3:39 PM
Reply posted for Raquelita.
Hi after 3 months, my daughter wasn't at a therapeutic level of 6MP so her doctor added Pentasa. Her liver enzymes did go through the roof. Shortly after we stopped the Pentasa, she was much better and when we checked again, her 6MP levels were therapeutic and her liver numbers were falling. About 4 months after stopping the Pentasa, liver enzymes were back to completely normal.
Have they checked his 6MP level? My understanding was that for my daughter it was supposed to be between 230-400 and at 3 months, her level was only 90. So sometimes it takes more time I guess but of course, I know every kid is different. I hope things settle down for you all and his liver is a-ok.
Take care,
Claire's Mom
Joined Jul 20, 2009
Wed, April 28, 2010 12:00 AM
Reply posted for dmstern8.
Thanks. My son's doctor seems to be on top of the issue with his liver, doing blood tests every week or two. She is trying to decrease his Crohn's meds to see if that helps. If not, she said we will have to see if there is something wrong with his liver (since Crohn's can cause liver inflammation and other liver problems).
raquelitaJoined Dec 28, 2009
Mon, April 26, 2010 8:20 PM
Reply posted for Raquelita.
My 15 year old son has sever UC. He tried every medication in every group of drug therapy which did not work. Some such as 6mp might have been the cause of acute pancreatittis. Be very careful of the medications. I know that IBD patients are at greater risk for such problems as liver and pancreas disease. Check with your dr.
Good luck
Derek's mom
Joined Sep 23, 2009
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