Husband has been on Lipitor for a year and a half. Shortly after starting on it he got this weird rash on his legs that wouldn't heal. After reading the insert, we saw that a rash is a side effect of the drug. The doctor said he'd never heard of such a thing and didn't recommend going off the Lipitor. The rash eventually cleared up but it took about 3 months.

I suggested recently that my husband get his liver enzyme checked and it turns out that it has been tested regularly since taking the Lipitor and it has been elevated for the past year. His SGPT levels have been 250, 291, and 224. I don't think they did any other liver tests, at least not that I know of. The doc said these levels were nothing to worry about and that my husband should continue on the drug. He has never told him about the liver enzyme tests until my husband specifically asked about it.

My husband is 44 years old, overweight and doesn't excercise. His diet consists of fatty, high calorie foods and he drinks a six pack on the weekends.

My question is, are those values too high? Are they acceptable? Are they caused by the Lipitor or by the weekend drinking? Seems to me there is liver damage going on, even if it's only slight. My husband's attitude is that he could die in a car accident tomorrow so what difference does it make if he's gambling with his liver. Seriously. That's what he said. He thinks I'm a pessimist and am making too much of this. He feels that if his doc isn't concerned then why should he be?

So, what do you all think? :confused:

Lipitor messed up my liver. Now im having test done to see how much damage has been done. I didn't find this out until Oct. when i went to the er for blood pressure and chest pain.

i think your hubby should take the matter more seriously. Liver problems can be an agonizing and painful illness. He should also try to get some exercise.

Thanks for the reply. I'm so sorry to hear about what happened to you, hopefully the damage isn't extensive. I'm hoping that your reply and any others I can get will help my husband to understand that his doctor isn't doing the best he can for him. I don't understand why my husband has been so complacent but having a doctor that isn't concerned is only adding to the problem.

Good luck to you and thanks again.

I switched from Lipitor to Vytorin because of high liver counts. My SGPT is at 129 and according to my report normal range is 2-60. So my Dr. is looking into my meds because that can be a cause. She is going to do something because she doesn't like it even that high. So, maybe another opinon might be good.

Linda,

Your husband needs a liver workup very badly, get to a specialist. Something is amiss and I think it might be more than just the Lipitor (though it's cerrtainly not helping.)
An SGPT (ALT) that high over several years is cause for GREAT concern. His doctor was sorely remiss by continuing the statin without getting to the core of the problem.

First thing I'd demand is a screening for all the hepatitis variants, then maybe a liver echogram.