Effexor XR and liver function tests
Has anyone had any experience with elevated liver enzyme tests while taking Effexor XR? I was denied some life insurance based on a blood test that showed slightly elevated liver enzymes. I want to reapply for the insurance, but I have to be able to explain the elevated tests. I have no symptoms and no other risk factors for liver disease, or for anything else (except depression, which was not the reason for the denial). I discussed with my doctor. He did an exam and ordered hepatitis tests which all came back negative. I'm super healthy. The doctor did say that elevated liver enzymes are not listed as a major side effect of Effexor. Anyone seen this before?
Greg,
Although the listed side effects for Effexor don't include any issues with the liver, there is a mention of liver function in the postmarketing reports printed in the prescribing information for Effexor XR. Here's an excerpt:
"Postmarketing Reports
Adverse Events
Voluntary reports of other adverse events temporally associated with the use of venlafaxine that have been received since market introduction and that may have no causal relationship with the use of venlafaxine include the following:... abnormalities of unspecified liver function tests..."
Other than that, I've not seen or heard anything about Effexor and liver function.
Hope this helps,
Teri
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Two people in my family take effexor and for that reason both of their Psychiatrists test their liver function every six months. Seems if you search Effexor Liver a bunch of stuff pops up
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Greg,
I have been on Effexor Xr now for about six months, in that time my liver alkaline phosphasates have elevated from about 150 up to 246. I am a survivor of Hodgkins Lymphoma and my oncologist is freaking and has been doing all sorts of test that has to do with the liver and what causes elevation. I have had the normal ct scans, cancer is still in remission, also elevated liver comes from bones, so I had a bone nuclear med test, just showed arthritis. This week I had a PET scan which would pick up everything else that could cause this elevation. I did some research on the net and found that 94% of effexor is abosorped in the liver and it metabolizes there causing the elevated numbers. My question is that if I stay on the effexor and the numbers keep climbing, is this actually doing more damage to my liver????? I will find out more this week. Good luck with the insurance issue, but that is what I am dealing with and I honestly believe that it is caused by the medication.
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Patient information leaflet (20.10.04) includes the following:
"EfexorXL sometimes causes......slight changes in blood levels of liver enzymes"
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I have been on Effexor ER 37.5 mg for several years (sometimes taking it just every other day) and due to an unrelated kidney stone incident, it was discovered that my enzymes were high. I was advised by my doctor to stop all Advil, Motrin, etc., which I was taking fairly regularly, and get re-tested in 30 days. I did that and they are still elevated so now I have to have an ultrasound of my liver. I feel healthier than I have in years due to the fact that I can exercise regularly (I had a bad bout of plantar fasciatis) that has reasolved so I'm hoping that it's the Effexor ER. I am going off of it for good this time as I don't like taking it with the unknowns about the liver, etc. I experience withdrawl symptoms that are quite bothersome (sensitivity to light, brain "zaps", etc.) but I'm determined to get off it for good this time. Good luck with your results.
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my liver enzyme level came back first at 220 then at 325. I had an ultra sound and now have the beginnings of non alcoholic cirrosous of the liver. All this has been cause by taking effexor for eleven and half years.
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Sold Out
Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 06:16 PM
yes took the poison for 4 years. Started to fall asleep at dinner and was getting real
disoriented. Did not know what I was doing. Its a powerful drug and we were not warned. Its the bottom line no more no less. Liver may or may not heal who knows
any sold out biochemists or were they all bought off. Who knows.
Yes I have elevated Liver enzymes. After 3 useless doctors. I found out what happened. I went to Emergency room and rotted for 12 Hours. Thought I was dead.
Smart ass doctor said too much coffee real smart ass. never once said how about that Effexor. Shock symptoms and convulsions thought I was dead. Started crying did not know what was happening. So then Genius Doctor sends me to other usless doctor gives me Depakote legs swelled like trees. Skin hurt. These quaks can't even read about SSRI withdraw my dog could read this stuff. Yes my liver hurts but its better. This crap was going into our liver and messing it up. Forgot to tell us. How convenient.
Better to be depressed then wreck your liver. You will have brain zaps and really scarry shit but it will go away. Stay away from useless Doctors that know nothing about SSRI
withdraw better to go to anyone but them. There is something going on. At least this is what happened to me. Yes my Enzymes are elevated and somebody asked if I was a heavy drinker. NO did not drink on this stuff.SSRI withdraw will make you scarred its ok
I guess I was lucky I did not die not one useless doctor told me the truth
out of 3. Docktors and not one mentioned it or my Liver. You do the math.
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Dude 4 years on the crap. started to get a little goofy. Thought I was having a stroke.
Wife takes me to emergency room. There I was left to rot. It seams that this stuff
wrecks your liver. Your liver should heal I would get of that crap. But DO NOT go through withdraw way to dangerous. 5 stupid doctors I figured this out on my own.
Do NOT go off to fast. But It did elevate my Liver enzymes as well. I beleive my liver is healing.