• From: Winston-Salem, NC
  • Registered: Fri, 03 Aug 2007
  • Posts: 376

Topic: Question about liver function and cough

If anyone knows anything about this, thank you for responding.  In the last month or so when Charlie can't sleep and he needs to take a generic Ambien, he sleeps through the night and most of the next day.  If the liver is not functioning as well, do medicines like Ambien or Ativan have a longer effect?  I don't know if I'm asking this quite right, but it's almost like he's taken 2 or 3 Ambien for the way he gets knocked out when he takes just 1 now.  This is something new and I would like to know if anyone else has experienced this.  Didn't know if it has something to do with the liver not working as well and not processing medicines the same...

Also, he's had a horrendous cough for a while.  I guess we all think mets to the lung.  I'm calling his oncologist about his cough tomorrow.  Any other ideas about a non-productive cough?  Thank you all so much.  My best to everyone.

Carol

  • From: Kalmar, Sweden
  • Registered: Sun, 20 May 2007
  • Posts: 1,951

Re: Question about liver function and cough

Carol,
Have you thought about the humidity in the room? I am coughing more now since we have turned on the heat for the first time this year and the air is very dry.

No insight into the medicine though. Someone else will be along shortly.

KRis

Cancer is a word, not a sentence.

36 year old patient with buckets of hope
  • Registered: Fri, 12 May 2006
  • Posts: 8,157

Re: Question about liver function and cough

Carol...I am wondering.. possibly, could Charlie use 1/2 of an Ambien?  Or, have to tried the non-generic form to see if he is responding similarly?  Also, is he taken time-release Ambien?  Hoping for someone to be able to pass on some information in re: to Charlies's caughing. 
Tons of good wishes
Marion

THIS INFORMATION IS NOT INTENDED NOR IMPLIED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF YOUR PHYSICIAN OR OTHER QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER
  • Jean
  • All-Star
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  • From: Seattle, WA
  • Registered: Tue, 13 May 2008
  • Posts: 163

Re: Question about liver function and cough

Carol

I double checked about this online though probably best to check with his oncologist!  Ativan is not metabolized in the liver so you don't need to adjust the dosage for liver dysfunction.  But, Ambien IS metabolized in the liver so the dosage does need to be lowered when there is liver dysfunction.

I wish I had some ideas about his cough.  Bronchitis, fluid in or around the lungs?  Enough guessing!  I think it's best you're checking with his oncologist.  They might want to get an x-ray and get him a good cough suppressant.  That might help his sleep!

Wishing you both the very best!

Jean

  • From: Winston-Salem, NC
  • Registered: Fri, 03 Aug 2007
  • Posts: 376

Re: Question about liver function and cough

Kris, Marion and Jean, thank you all for responding.  Good thoughts about the humidity, Kris.  The heat is very drying.  I'll check that out.  I hope you're doing well!

Marion, 1/2 of the generic will probably do the trick.  I'll have to look back, but I think we always get the Zolpidem (generic) because of the tier levels of our drug policy and it's quite a bit less expensive.  I'll need to research that again. You're a godsend with your good advice!

Jean, I just wasn't looking at the right place on the Internet.  Thanks for finding it for me.  I had a suspicion that might be the case with Ambien. 

Off to work and a call to the oncologist.  Thanks again.  Hope everyone has a blessed day!

Carol

  • JeffG
  • Moderator
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  • From: Kansas
  • Registered: Mon, 16 Oct 2006
  • Posts: 1,242

Re: Question about liver function and cough

Hi Carol and Charlie,   I had to pop in and and pass along my 2 cents.  I've had mets to the lungs for a long time.  Talking with Oncologist and Nurses it usually doesn't effct you until a tumor reaches over the size of 2.5 CMs. Then you could possibally see fluid build up in cavity of lung.  I personally have had no cough except for a touch of bronchitis that appears to have cleared up now.  The fluid for (me any ways) is more annoying because of the pressure and can cause rubbing and pain/discomfort.  I currently have it set up to be drained every 4 weeks even though it fills back up within two.  As things progress for me, I expect possible infections or touchs of pnumonia.  Have you changed the filter in the furnace.  I am doing mine once a month just to make sure I keep those micro dust mites out of the air as much as possible.  Carol is his cough dry or productive. If dry get a decongestant if productive a suppressant or let run it's course. Once I got all the flem out od my bronco tubes I was just fine.  I rambled enough guessing what, but for me no cough unless bronchitis or dust.  To this point fluid and mets to lungs has not caused any coughing for me.  With the liver comprmised it is a yes in my opinion that it will have difficulty processing the appropriate enzymes for certain meds for sure and some good food as well. That's my post for the week. Like Jean said probally as the doctor.
God Bless,
Jeff

Take it to the Limit,One More Time! (Eagles)
  • Registered: Fri, 12 May 2006
  • Posts: 8,157

Re: Question about liver function and cough

Carol...as far as I know only tablets (not capsules) can be cut in to smaller pieces.  Good luck with the oncologist, today. 
Hugs
Marion

THIS INFORMATION IS NOT INTENDED NOR IMPLIED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF YOUR PHYSICIAN OR OTHER QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER
  • From: Winston-Salem, NC
  • Registered: Fri, 03 Aug 2007
  • Posts: 376

Re: Question about liver function and cough

Hey all, Charlie promised he would call the oncologist today while I was at work, but guess what, he didn't.  "Aw, it's just a cough. They can't do anything about it."  So I'm going to leave it for a few days and call myself if he's still coughing.  It is a dry cough.  He blew leaves out in the yard for about 30 minutes.  What can you do?  Thanks for the ideas Jeff.  Looking forward to your next "post of the week"!  Take care.  God Bless you too. 

Carol