6 replies to this topic

[rcase13]

My liver enzymes since starting on Tasigna have stayed in the low 20s. But now after two and half years they started climbing. In the last 6 months they have climbed to 70 and now out of the normal range.

Does this mean my liver is failing? Has this happened to others? I am PCRU but only for a little over a year. Too soon to try cesation. I started taking Prilosec about 9 months ago. Could the combination be causing this?

I don't drink and try to live healthy.

[jmoorhou]

Rcase, the same thing happened to me on Gleevec look at my signature and do that and your enzymes will come down.

[Trey]

If you are talking about ALT and AST they are not specific to the liver.  They can be indicators of many other things.  To properly evaluate the liver all related tests should be considered:

http://www.mayoclini...ts/prc-20012602

 

For those taking certain drugs, the elevated liver function tests generally are "drug induced liver enzyme activity" rather than actual liver damage.  Tasigna is probably the CML TKI most likely to cause elevated ALT and AST. 

 

Actual liver damage will cause liver enzymes at extremely elevated levels, probably 2 - 3 times upper end of normal.

[cmljax]

After about 2 months on Tasigna 600 mg, my ALT got as high as 65 (not serious) and my total bilirubin got as high as 1.9 ( again not serious).  This lasted about 6 - 8 weeks and then all liver function tests returned to normal before my dose reduction to 450 mg.  As Trey said, I believe my elevated levels were drug induced.  My oncologist just said we would monitor the levels - he was not concerned, particularly since the bilirubin elevation was almost all due to an elevation in indirect bilirubin.  My direct bilirubin only went from .2 - .3.  My onc said a significant elevation in direct bilirubin would be more concerning.

 

That being said, Tasigna can mess with the liver, so you should consider doing liver healthy things like not drink alcohol, keep weight down, exercise.  There are also a bazillion websites on foods that are lever friendly.  Remember that the liver has to process eveything you put in your mouth, even dietary supplements. Take care of yourself and your liver and you should be fine. Other TKI's can effect the liver, but Tasigna is probably the worst.

 

Here's hoping it's just a transient thing for you - good luck

[jmoorhou]

The naturopath told me to put the teas and ginger in french press and drink throughout the day.  The teas are made in Sebastopol CA which is right next door to me, but I'm sure Amazon has them or your local Whole  Foods.  They are made by Traditional Medicinals.

[rcase13]

The plot thickens, so my doctor said not to worry about the liver enzymes. He thinks it is caused by my recent change in BP meds. I hope he is right.

I don't understand why my BP is so hard to manage. I just can't seem to get it under control. As I said above I don't drink alcohol, I eat right and maintain a proper weight. I am very busy and am not sedentary except at work.

Really frustrated with the BP and liver numbers. Do others on Tasigna have BP issues? I will make an appointment with my primary to try and find a medicine that will work to lower my BP. I tried Lisonapril and Nifedipine. The first one didn't seem to do anything. And the second gave me a resting heartbeat of 130 and extreme migraines. Ugh just so frustrated. I have a good response but it seems impossible to keep. Before Tasigna my BP was much lower. It has to be Tasigna raising my BP so high.

I bought the Milk Thistle and Tumeric. I will see what the primary doctor says and start taking them I guess. I will also have a vitamin D test done to see where I am.

[cmljax]

My BP on Tasigna goes all over the place.  I was always a 120/80 guy until CML/Tasigna.  Early after diagnosis and starting Tasigna, it ran in the 140's and even 150's. Probably due to anxiety of diagnosis and all that accompanied that, including other early side effects.  Now it is mostly back to where it was, but sometimes spikes up. I have not gone on BP meds and will resist that mightily. I also have recurring heart arrythmia, again form Tasigna, and even now on half dose - so far all heart tests have been normal - oh the joys of TKI's.

 

Try lowering the amount of sodium in your diet - other than that seems like you are doing all the right things.