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What Causes Elevated Liver Enzyme Levels While Treating Tuberculosis?
Question: I have been treated for latent TB with 300mg isoniazid for 5 weeks 2 days. The pre and 2 weeks 2 days LFT were perfect. The results for the 5 weeks 4 days LFT were through the roof: ALT = 636 ASP = 504, which I received online today. I also have been on a Z-pak for 8 days for a Sinusitis and Bronchitis. I called my pulmonologist's office and the attending physician said to stop the isoniazid and call my doctor on Monday. He also said I would be fine. That it would resolve. What do you think.
When will I receive a response to my question?
When will I receive a response to my question?
Brief Answer:
stop izoniazide for a while
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for asking in HCM
I can understand your concern
Usually during the treatment with medication for TB the most common side effects are elevation of LFT.
The most important thing is the rate of LFT growth.
If they are increased slightly you should not do anything except drinking a lot of water because they are highly toxic to your liver
In your case they are increased in a high level.
For this you should stop the izoniazide for a while and probably your doctor will prescribe for you vitamins and medications to protect your liver ,hepatoprotectors (like Silymarine twice), liquids probably in intravenous route for some days and will monitor further the liver tests.
With the above i am sure based in my experience that they should decrease slowly do not worry.
I do not think Z pack have damaged the liver situation.
So when you will meet your doctor discuss for the above.
Take care and feel free to ask me again
Dr.Jolanda
stop izoniazide for a while
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for asking in HCM
I can understand your concern
Usually during the treatment with medication for TB the most common side effects are elevation of LFT.
The most important thing is the rate of LFT growth.
If they are increased slightly you should not do anything except drinking a lot of water because they are highly toxic to your liver
In your case they are increased in a high level.
For this you should stop the izoniazide for a while and probably your doctor will prescribe for you vitamins and medications to protect your liver ,hepatoprotectors (like Silymarine twice), liquids probably in intravenous route for some days and will monitor further the liver tests.
With the above i am sure based in my experience that they should decrease slowly do not worry.
I do not think Z pack have damaged the liver situation.
So when you will meet your doctor discuss for the above.
Take care and feel free to ask me again
Dr.Jolanda
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
What might be the vitamins and medication to protect my liver?
Brief Answer:
Medications that help liver cells regeneration
Detailed Answer:
Hi again
Hepatoprotectors are medications which have protective and regenerating effect on the liver cells when a toxic agent has damaged the liver.
One of them is for example Sylimarine mostly used in our clinical practice.
Together with vitamins (mostly Vitamin C) they play a major role in the liver function.
In my clinic i have had several patients with hepatotoxicity from anti TB drugs and we have stopped isoniazid for up to a month and restart it first in half of the usually dose and nothing bad has happened.
Wishes
Dr.Jolanda
Medications that help liver cells regeneration
Detailed Answer:
Hi again
Hepatoprotectors are medications which have protective and regenerating effect on the liver cells when a toxic agent has damaged the liver.
One of them is for example Sylimarine mostly used in our clinical practice.
Together with vitamins (mostly Vitamin C) they play a major role in the liver function.
In my clinic i have had several patients with hepatotoxicity from anti TB drugs and we have stopped isoniazid for up to a month and restart it first in half of the usually dose and nothing bad has happened.
Wishes
Dr.Jolanda
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
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