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Can Adderall Be Taken While Treating Alcoholic Liver Disease?

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Posted on Mon, 6 Mar 2017
Question: Can adderall or other ADHD medications have an adverse effect when trying to lower high AST liver enzyme levels due to excessive drinking?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (52 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Adderall will increase and derange AST levels rather then improving them.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for choosing HCM for your query.
Dextroamphetamine,and other amphetamines metamphetamines and stimulants are highly toxic medication,With a number of side effects.All stimulants work by increasing dopamine levels in the brain—dopamine is a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure, movement, and attention. The therapeutic effect of stimulants is achieved by slow and steady increases of dopamine.
As the medication is directly effecting the hormone level in brain,Its use is restricted to only particular diseases like ADHD.
As per your question you are on Aderall for lowering elevated liver enzymes.But all stimulants are highly toxic to liver and kidney and instead of decreasing Liver functions they are going to elevate the level of enzymes.
Though not asked yet if AST is deranged due to alcohol,I would suggest you to go for a USG abdomen to rule out the cirrhosis of liver etc.Treatment may be started as per the findings.Till that time start taking liver tonic like sylimarin.

Advice
Stop amphetamines they will derange your Liver functions more.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (18 minutes later)
What if the person is prescribed adderall for ADHD? I didn't mean that he is taking adderall to reduce ast levels. If he abstains from drinking but continues taking adderall as usually prescribed, would it take longer for his levels to return back to normal? Do people who take adderall have higher ast levels compared to those who don't?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (57 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Folow up advice.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Yes i would take a bit longer for his enzymes to return to normal as amphetamines are hepatotoxic.More over it depends on many other factor like if liver is cirrhotic or not.Grade of fatty liver.Number of years patient is exposed to alcohol,Grade of injury of liver.
It's not necessary that every patient on adderall has deranged liver functions.It depends on body to body,Every side effect of a medicines is not necessarily observed in every patient.
Don't worry.
Follow following advices-
No alcohol or smoking
Take sylimarin and a potent antioxidant daily.
Adderall to be taken under guidance of pyschiatrist for ADHD.
Repeat LFT after 4 weeks.
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Ramesh Kumar

Gastroenterologist

Practicing since :1986

Answered : 2906 Questions

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Can Adderall Be Taken While Treating Alcoholic Liver Disease?

Brief Answer: Adderall will increase and derange AST levels rather then improving them. Detailed Answer: Hi Thanks for choosing HCM for your query. Dextroamphetamine,and other amphetamines metamphetamines and stimulants are highly toxic medication,With a number of side effects.All stimulants work by increasing dopamine levels in the brain—dopamine is a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure, movement, and attention. The therapeutic effect of stimulants is achieved by slow and steady increases of dopamine. As the medication is directly effecting the hormone level in brain,Its use is restricted to only particular diseases like ADHD. As per your question you are on Aderall for lowering elevated liver enzymes.But all stimulants are highly toxic to liver and kidney and instead of decreasing Liver functions they are going to elevate the level of enzymes. Though not asked yet if AST is deranged due to alcohol,I would suggest you to go for a USG abdomen to rule out the cirrhosis of liver etc.Treatment may be started as per the findings.Till that time start taking liver tonic like sylimarin. Advice Stop amphetamines they will derange your Liver functions more.