For which pain meds should a periodic liver function test be recommended/required?

[tiva]

I'm on various medications, and haven't had a liver function test while on most of them. I've read here of people having this test periodically, and unfortunately with not the best results. So I'm wondering, for which medications should a periodic LFT be recommended/required? I haven't seen a complete list here.

I know that anything with Tylenol/acetaminophen is on the list if taken on a regular basis.

I've read here that Cymbalta and morphine here should be on the list as well.

My regular medications are:
Elavil/amitriptyline
Neurontin
fentanyl patch
Topamax (I just recently stopped this one; I’m not sure if that's temporary.)

Does anyone know if these should be on that list? And for others, should any others be on the list as well?

Thank you,
tiva

[Mark N]

Tiva, I can't tell you about your meds as I don't take any of them. The best way to tell is when you pick up your meds from the pharmacy read the warnings that come with your meds.

[BrokenBladder]

Tiva I have to agree with Mark on this one. I would also ask your doctor who's prescribing the meds. We always have to take charge of our own health so it never hurts to ask lots of questions!!

[simby]

A liver function test is usually part of the normal blood tests you get everytime you have a physical.
If something is off there, you may have more blood tests.

In my case, any meds that tend to be hard on the liver have warnings in the patient info.
Talk to your doc. You may be having them and not know it if you have annual blood work.

[mrsdoubtfyre]

Patients using Topamax need periodic serum bicarbonate tests.

This drug causes metabolic acidosis in many patients.

Neurontin is not metabolized and is excreted whole in the urine.
So periodic renal tests should be done to make sure the kidneys are not
changing. If they do the drug will build up in the body.

There are many issues besides the liver, with many drugs, one should be
aware of.