You may have heard that medications are either metabolized in the kidneys or in the liver. Avonex is a medication that is metabolized in the liver and therefore it is essential for you to get your liver tested on a regular basis. My doctor is checking my blood every 6 months to see whether my liver is still working or if I need stay away from Avonex for a while. In fact, Avonex Betaseron, Copaxone and Rebif all can cause liver damage.
So what does your doctor look at? When your doctor checks your blood he or she would order an additional liver function test to see if your liver is still in good shape. Unfortunately, a lot of patients who take the ABC drugs have elevated liver values. In order for the patient not to acquire long-term liver problems, the doctor might decide to stop the ABC dugs. You ask me why? Multiple Sclerosis is not a deadly disease. But if your liver stops working you will have a much higher chance of dying due to the problems that come hand in hand with a diseased liver.
But don’t get me wrong. It is not that only medications such as the ABC drugs can cause damage to your liver. Essentially, ever medication that is metabolized in your liver can have these effects on your body. Don’t blame those problems on the ABCs alone. You might even want to blame the wine and beer you drink.
The one thing I would like for you to do, is to make sure to always get your checked when your physician asks you to do so – or better ask him if it is about time to get those liver functions tested. Because it is your liver you are dealing with. A little needle stick and some drops of blood will give you more security that the ABC drugs are still the medication of choice for you. And hopefully you will be able to use them for a very long time. I am taking Avonex for more than 6 years now – and my liver is as good as it gets. A possible reason for this could be that I totally abstain from alcohol. How about making yourself this new years promise if you still like to drink a beer or two. Maybe life would be less fun – but your liver would be getting your best friend again.
