Zelboraf – liver functions tests abnormal off Zelboraf for over a week
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Zelboraf – liver functions tests abnormal off Zelboraf for over a week

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Zelboraf – liver functions tests abnormal off Zelboraf for over a week

  • Post
    • May 7, 2012 at 12:57 pm
    hcastle
    Participant

    My husband has been on Zelboraf for almost 3 months when his oncologist told him to take a break from Zelboraf because his blood work results are showing his liver is being compromised (bilirubine, alkaline numbers, etc. are high).  We don't know at this point if this is due to the chemo or cancer.  Since being off Zelboraf, about  7 days now there has been some improvement in liver #'s, but they haven't lowered enough to go back on to Zelboraf according to oncologist.  My husband has a ct scan this Wednesday to see what is going on.&

    My husband has been on Zelboraf for almost 3 months when his oncologist told him to take a break from Zelboraf because his blood work results are showing his liver is being compromised (bilirubine, alkaline numbers, etc. are high).  We don't know at this point if this is due to the chemo or cancer.  Since being off Zelboraf, about  7 days now there has been some improvement in liver #'s, but they haven't lowered enough to go back on to Zelboraf according to oncologist.  My husband has a ct scan this Wednesday to see what is going on.  His original cancer pain since starting Zelboraf has gone away so we're hopeful it is working.  If there is liver damage I wonder if he'll be able to go back on the treatment or pursue another treatment (we've been looking into Yervoy and clinical trials).

    Has anyone out there had a similar path? 

    Thanks for any helpful responses.

    Remaining hopeful. 

Viewing 5 reply threads
  • Replies
      • May 7, 2012 at 10:41 pm
      jmmm
      Participant
      This happened to my husband. It was from an interaction between his anti seizure meds after his craniotomy (even though they were supposed to be safe to take with Zelboraf). Now, anytime he takes any meds (OTC or prescription), his liver and bilirubin levels go up. He dropped to 3 Zelboraf 2 times a day and it seems to help. His oncologist is fine with the liver levels elevated for short periods of time when he needs an additional medicine, but he tries not to take anything unless absolutely necessary. FYI…his 6 month scans on Zelboraf were ok…3 small rumors that aren’t growing (or shrinking), so it seems to be working just fine.
      • May 7, 2012 at 10:41 pm
      jmmm
      Participant
      This happened to my husband. It was from an interaction between his anti seizure meds after his craniotomy (even though they were supposed to be safe to take with Zelboraf). Now, anytime he takes any meds (OTC or prescription), his liver and bilirubin levels go up. He dropped to 3 Zelboraf 2 times a day and it seems to help. His oncologist is fine with the liver levels elevated for short periods of time when he needs an additional medicine, but he tries not to take anything unless absolutely necessary. FYI…his 6 month scans on Zelboraf were ok…3 small rumors that aren’t growing (or shrinking), so it seems to be working just fine.
      • May 7, 2012 at 10:41 pm
      jmmm
      Participant
      This happened to my husband. It was from an interaction between his anti seizure meds after his craniotomy (even though they were supposed to be safe to take with Zelboraf). Now, anytime he takes any meds (OTC or prescription), his liver and bilirubin levels go up. He dropped to 3 Zelboraf 2 times a day and it seems to help. His oncologist is fine with the liver levels elevated for short periods of time when he needs an additional medicine, but he tries not to take anything unless absolutely necessary. FYI…his 6 month scans on Zelboraf were ok…3 small rumors that aren’t growing (or shrinking), so it seems to be working just fine.
        • May 8, 2012 at 12:20 pm
        hcastle
        Participant

        Thanks for your reply; it is helpful as my husband takes additional meds too for chronic pain. Best to you and your husband.

        • May 8, 2012 at 12:20 pm
        hcastle
        Participant

        Thanks for your reply; it is helpful as my husband takes additional meds too for chronic pain. Best to you and your husband.

        • May 8, 2012 at 12:20 pm
        hcastle
        Participant

        Thanks for your reply; it is helpful as my husband takes additional meds too for chronic pain. Best to you and your husband.

      • May 10, 2012 at 11:45 am
      beatricefromPARIS
      Participant

      Hi

      I just had Zelboraf for a month and a half at full dose and ….full sample of the registered side effects plus ones that were not on the manufacturer's list such as strange ear noises and hearing changes!

      Had to stop because of fatigue and also liver could not take it. Fever appeared and liver enzyms levels went suddendly sky-rocketing. I think it is the combination of Zelboraf plus med for joint pain (ketoprofen) that did it. Liver took two weeks to go back to nearly normal levels.

      BUT

      scan results at 8 weeks were VERY good with significant decrease and only two visible tumors left!

      So I am about to start Zelboraf again at half dose together with low dose cortico-steroid.

       

      • May 10, 2012 at 11:45 am
      beatricefromPARIS
      Participant

      Hi

      I just had Zelboraf for a month and a half at full dose and ….full sample of the registered side effects plus ones that were not on the manufacturer's list such as strange ear noises and hearing changes!

      Had to stop because of fatigue and also liver could not take it. Fever appeared and liver enzyms levels went suddendly sky-rocketing. I think it is the combination of Zelboraf plus med for joint pain (ketoprofen) that did it. Liver took two weeks to go back to nearly normal levels.

      BUT

      scan results at 8 weeks were VERY good with significant decrease and only two visible tumors left!

      So I am about to start Zelboraf again at half dose together with low dose cortico-steroid.

       

      • May 10, 2012 at 11:45 am
      beatricefromPARIS
      Participant

      Hi

      I just had Zelboraf for a month and a half at full dose and ….full sample of the registered side effects plus ones that were not on the manufacturer's list such as strange ear noises and hearing changes!

      Had to stop because of fatigue and also liver could not take it. Fever appeared and liver enzyms levels went suddendly sky-rocketing. I think it is the combination of Zelboraf plus med for joint pain (ketoprofen) that did it. Liver took two weeks to go back to nearly normal levels.

      BUT

      scan results at 8 weeks were VERY good with significant decrease and only two visible tumors left!

      So I am about to start Zelboraf again at half dose together with low dose cortico-steroid.

       

        • May 10, 2012 at 5:47 pm
        hcastle
        Participant

        Thanks very much Beatrice.  Happy to read about your scan results.  Best wishes for continued success.

        • May 10, 2012 at 5:47 pm
        hcastle
        Participant

        Thanks very much Beatrice.  Happy to read about your scan results.  Best wishes for continued success.

        • May 10, 2012 at 5:47 pm
        hcastle
        Participant

        Thanks very much Beatrice.  Happy to read about your scan results.  Best wishes for continued success.

Viewing 5 reply threads
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