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

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

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.

Patient information leaflet (20.10.04) includes the following:

"EfexorXL sometimes causes......slight changes in blood levels of liver enzymes"

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.