Valium and liver enzymez

[Maharet35]

Will valium cause a rise in ast and alt

[hrsepwrguy]

Valium Side Effects

Hepatic

Hepatic effects including granulomatous hepatitis have been reported. Elevated liver function tests have been rarely reported. Periodic monitoring of liver function tests is recommended for patients on long-term diazepam (the active ingredient contained in Valium) therapy, particularly for patients with preexisting liver disease

http://www.drugs.com/sfx/valium-side-effects.html

[Carlhcv]

I've been taking valium as needed for many years and it is a very safe drug. I take it for anxiety and to help sleep. Neither of my doctors have indicated any concern about it.

[Carlhcv]

That list of side effects is laughable. The only side effect I notice is tiredness the next day if I take too much. "Feeling that others are watching you or controlling your behavior"? Please. . . . . .

[Maharet35]

I was just wondering bc they gave it to me in the hospital and my alt and ast jumped higher in 6 days

[Carlhcv]

I doubt it was the valium.

[Ekkiemom]

Hey there
You are correct hrsepwrguy it is recommended that it not be taken.  I don't agree with you Carl as this is valid medical information.

Peace
Deb

[Carlhcv]

Please quote your source.

Hepatotoxicity
Like other benzodiazepines, diazepam is rarely associated with serum ALT elevations during therapy.  Furthermore, clinically apparent liver injury from diazepam is exceedingly rare.  A small number of cases of hepatic injury have been described in patients on oral diazepam, but the clinical pattern has varied.  The onset of injury has ranged from 1 to 6 months, and pattern of serum enzyme elevations has typically been cholestatic or mixed.  Fever and rash are uncommon as is autoantibody formation.  In large surveys and case series of clinically apparent drug induced liver injury, diazepam and other benzodiazepines are usually not listed.

Mechanism of Injury
The liver injury from benzodiazepines is probably due to a rarely produced intermediate metabolite.  Diazepam is metabolized in the liver to its active metabolite which is excreted in the urine.

Outcome and Management
The case reports of hepatic injury due to oral diazepam were followed by complete recovery, without evidence of residual or chronic injury.  No cases of acute liver failure or chronic liver injury due to diazepam have been described.  There is no information about cross reactivity with other benzodiazepines (clorazepate, lorazepam or alprazolam), but some degree of cross sensitivity may occur.

http://livertox.nih.gov/DiazepamOral.htm

[Carlhcv]

After some further research it does seem that diazepam should not be taken by those with "severe liver disease" or cirrhosis. Neither my GP or Gastroenterologist have expressed any concern with me taking it. It is interesting though. Then again every drug we take is processed by the liver so maybe valium isn't any worse than any other drug. Now I'm a little confused about it. I will stand by my statement that the list of side effects is ridiculous. If a large dose is taken or given by injection then I suppose it could cause a temporary rise in ast/alt.  

[WalkingEagle]

my Dr. has me on DIAZEPAM to help with what little sleep I do get, and she checked + double checked all my meds. even took me off all antacids no multivitamins, no weed ;(
and said NO! to all Oct's, have 28 more days of Harvoni    

[Ekkiemom]

Hi Carl

Wow!
You know just a thought, maybe you need to be a bit less critical of people's posting medical information.  If you don't agree that's fine but you really don't need to be disrespectful about it......just a thought since we are all traveling thie same path here and all striving for encouragement, support and the same end result SVR.

Best to you

[Carlhcv]

I didn't mean to sound disrespectful of the advice given but it did come out that way. I was laughing at the list of side effects linked. Read them, kind of funny. You got a little snippy toward me too. It's all good and it seems that the valium issue isn't so clear cut. Best to you too. I have 3 pills left!

[hepcandme]

wow, 3 more pills!

Congrats Carl! The pain management thing is so challenging especially for someone who has never had headaches before

So hard to just breathe through them, you know?

I have heard that Tramadol is a good substitute but can also be addicting

[Livelife777]

Here's the key guys.  Everything in moderation.
Enough said
.....Kim

[Carlhcv]

So true. Even Tylenol is the recommended otc pain med for those with hep c even though it is notoriously toxic to the liver. Valium is given intravenously sometimes in hospitals and if the op was given a hefty dose and was not tolerant to diazepam then I guess it's conceivable that it could cause a spike in liver enzymes.