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Can Cymbalta Be Safely Used On Depressed People With Mildly Elevated Liver Function Test?
Brief Answer:
Liver funtion tests may be repeated regularly
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for writing in to us.
Cymbalta has active ingredients of duloxetine hydrochloride. It is used in depression, fibromyalgia, stress and anxiety, dysthymia, pain.
Some clinical studies have found a relationship between liver injury and medication with duloxetine. In patients with a normal baseline ALT, both ALT and AST values peaked after 8 weeks of duloxetine medication, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) steadily increased to a maximum value at 52 weeks.
Individuals with preexisting chronic liver disease or excessive alcohol consumption are at a greater risk of duloxetine-induced liver injury. Thus, it is suggested that clinicians should monitor liver function carefully after duloxetine treatment in patients with HBs Ag (hepatitis B) infection.
In the end it depends on the duration of illness, individual liver function and premorbid states of the patient. It may not be as scary as it sounds. Please be in touch with your doctor and get liver function tests done at regular intervals.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back in case of doubts.
Regards
Dr Vivek
Liver funtion tests may be repeated regularly
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for writing in to us.
Cymbalta has active ingredients of duloxetine hydrochloride. It is used in depression, fibromyalgia, stress and anxiety, dysthymia, pain.
Some clinical studies have found a relationship between liver injury and medication with duloxetine. In patients with a normal baseline ALT, both ALT and AST values peaked after 8 weeks of duloxetine medication, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) steadily increased to a maximum value at 52 weeks.
Individuals with preexisting chronic liver disease or excessive alcohol consumption are at a greater risk of duloxetine-induced liver injury. Thus, it is suggested that clinicians should monitor liver function carefully after duloxetine treatment in patients with HBs Ag (hepatitis B) infection.
In the end it depends on the duration of illness, individual liver function and premorbid states of the patient. It may not be as scary as it sounds. Please be in touch with your doctor and get liver function tests done at regular intervals.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back in case of doubts.
Regards
Dr Vivek
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
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