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Is Morphine Effective In Managing Pain While Treating Spondylosis And Liver Cirrhosis?

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Posted on Thu, 8 Jun 2017
Question: I have severe cirrhosis of the liver and many other issues including spondylosis and 5 herniated discs I'm being treated by a pain management specialist. My question is the morphine that I am prescribed doesn't seem to be working as it should could this be because of my cirrhosis?
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Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (25 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
liver has a hard time clearing it so levels should not be low

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

Opioids including morphine , are largely metabolised (broken down ) by the liver.

In liver failure, the doses are sometimes reduced or spaced out to prevent complications.
Though they can be safely used if careful, there are potential complications

In persons with cirrhosis they are avoided they can precipitate/cause hepatic encephalopathy and hospitalization if not used properly. If used properly, this is not a problem.

The amount of the morphine in your body would not be decreased because of your liver failure because the liver has a hard time clearing it out of the body. This means that the ability to help should not be decreased unless the dose has been altered.

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Michelle Gibson James

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16808 Questions

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Is Morphine Effective In Managing Pain While Treating Spondylosis And Liver Cirrhosis?

Brief Answer: liver has a hard time clearing it so levels should not be low Detailed Answer: HI, thanks for using healthcare magic Opioids including morphine , are largely metabolised (broken down ) by the liver. In liver failure, the doses are sometimes reduced or spaced out to prevent complications. Though they can be safely used if careful, there are potential complications In persons with cirrhosis they are avoided they can precipitate/cause hepatic encephalopathy and hospitalization if not used properly. If used properly, this is not a problem. The amount of the morphine in your body would not be decreased because of your liver failure because the liver has a hard time clearing it out of the body. This means that the ability to help should not be decreased unless the dose has been altered. I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions