liver & kidney blood chemistries

[Tylers Nana]

Hi,

Does anyone know how often you should have your liver and kidney blood chemistries taken when on Relafen? I am taking 1,500 mg. of relafen daily. I started taking relafen upon my first visit to the rheumy back in mid. February. I had a follow-up to review my blood work in March which was drawn on my first visit in Feb. I have not had my liver and kidney blood chemistries checked since I started on relafen in Feb. I don't go back to the rheumy until the beginning of Sept. Is this too long of a time to check and make sure it isn't effecting my liver? I read somewhere where you should be checked every 3 to 4 months. If I wait until Sept., it will be 6 1/2 months!

How do you even know if it is causing any liver problems until it would be too late and there might be damage? Maybe waiting this long would be okay, I have no idea and that is why I am here and I hope someone can clue me in. If it should be checked before then, I am going to call my rheumy's office.

Thanks,
Janice

[raggedyann1]

Tylers Nana

Relafen is a NSAID or Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug. Most of them can cause problems with your liver and kidneys. The link below tells you what to watch out for when taking Relafen.

I would ask your GP about blood tests in between visits with your Rheumy. I have never gone that long with an appointment so I am not sure how crucial it is.
Remember they have to suggest very stringent testing to cover them from law suits. This is true of most medications today. Even tho 98% of the population never have a single problem with the meds. With lupus are doctors are a little more leary esp with kidneys as kidney involvement is more common with lupus than the general population.

http://www.drugdigest.org/DD/DVH/Uses/0,39...Relafen,00.html (http://www.drugdigest.org/DD/DVH/Uses/0,3915,469|Relafen,00.html)

Let us know what you find out.

Take care,
Karen

[Tylers Nana]

Thanks Karen!

I felt that was a long time in between visits. My last rheumy visit was not with my rheumy because he was out due to surgery. I had to see another dr. I really don't know how much she looked over my chart. One would think she would be aware of the need to check the liver and kidneys!

Thank you for sending the link about relafen.

I hope you are doing well,
Janice