liver damage

[uacvax]

How big of a risk is drug taking to the health of the liver? Take for example, high doses of amphetamine, is it possible to overload the liver w/ continuous dosing of amphetamines? Is permanent damage sustained from the taking of drugs? I think I've read that the liver is the fastest regenerating organ in the body, so it seems that as long as drug-taking is isolated, the liver will be about normal in little time.

Another reason I ask is because I have a headache, and I know that doctors recommend ibuprofen over other OTC painkillers due to less toxicity, and was wondering whether it makes any different in the long run.

BTW I realize that the connection between the thread and advanced drug discussion might not be obvious but this is probably the best section for this thread as the metabolism of drugs occurs in the liver.

 

[Mr Blonde]

'How big of a risk is drug taking to the health of the liver?'

That's a pretty vague and general question.

All sorts of drugs have different effects on the health of your liver.

Take for example, high doses of amphetamine, is it possible to overload the liver w/ continuous dosing of amphetamines?

Yes. Meth addicts often have shocking livers.

so it seems that as long as drug-taking is isolated, the liver will be about normal in little time.

Not necessarily. Consider alcoholics and cirrhosis, for example.

Another reason I ask is because I have a headache, and I know that doctors recommend ibuprofen over other OTC painkillers due to less toxicity, and was wondering whether it makes any different in the long run.

Yep, I've also heard ibuprofen is not as toxic compared to acetaminophen. However, long term use could cause kidney problems and, possibly, liver problems.

 

[fastandbulbous]

All drugs exhibit some sort of toxicity (yes even cannabis if you consider it's psychopharmacological toxicity), but which organ/part of the body they go for is dependant upon a whole range of criteria eg fat solubility (octanol/water partition coefficient), toxic metabolites etc.

If you want a specific answer you'll have to ask a specific toxicology question or ask about a specific drug (the open nasture of the way the OP put it is the toxicology/pharmacology equivalent of 'how long is a piece of string' )

 

[uacvax]

Alright, #1: For someone who has taken up to 200 mg of amphetamine, would this cause permanent damage to the liver or any other organ besides the brain?

#2: does tylenol cause any permanent damage to the liver or any part of the body?

 

[Mr Blonde]

Alright, #1: For someone who has taken up to 200 mg of amphetamine, would this cause permanent damage to the liver or any other organ besides the brain?

#2: does tylenol cause any permanent damage to the liver or any part of the body?

It depends how often you use amphetamine. If it's chronic use, then yes this would probably cause damage to the liver.

And yes, chronic use or an OD of 'tylenol', which is acetaminophen, will cause liver damage. This is VERY well documented, if you'd used the search engine you would have found answers to both of these questions.

 

[rnd.id.]

Does chronic use of low doses (0.5g-1g) of APAP damage the liver as well? I thought toxicity only occured once glutathione is depleted, but I have no idea what I'm talking about

Toxicity can also occur when multiple smaller doses within 24 hours exceeds these levels, or even with chronic ingestion of doses as low as 4 g/day, and death with as little as 6 g/day.

 

[Mr Blonde]

Mmm...not sure, probably depends on what the half life is for acetaminophen. It could probably build up over time and then do it's damage.

 

[negrogesic]

Does chronic use of low doses (0.5g-1g) of APAP damage the liver as well?

I doubt it, however over a very extended period of time it is not entirely implausible...

 

[fastandbulbous]

No, paracetamol (being steadfastly British in my drug naming!) isn't toxic until you've depleted yor stores of glutathione, The paracetamol/glutathione conjugate is non toxic, but once it's gone, paracetamol gets metabolized to some much nastier (& hepatotoxic) compound. The N-acetylcysteine they give as an antidote in hospital allows the body to convert it to glutathione which negates it's toxicity. You have to get it within 12 hours of a paracetamol Od otherwise it'll not be of much help.

The safe limit is 1000mg/dose or 4000mg in a 24 hour period. Any more & you're damaging tyour liver to some degree

 

[jubai]

I believe the fellow posters are right, in that long term drug use can induce liver damage, and acetaminophen, especially with other drugs/alcohol, can be a problem.

The solution is to stop/diminish usage.

The good news is, along with your lungs, the liver is the most "regeneretable" organ of the body, and will go back to good health given proper conditions.

Science tells us the best supplements to heal the liver are NAC (n-acetyl-cystein), Sylmarin (milk thistle), and various plants (artichoke etc).

Naturopathy / common sense / experience tells me that the liver flush (opening up bile/liver canals with Epsom Salts then forcing a bile flush with 1/2 cup oil etc) is a good way to clean up toxins, and will make you feel good.