Can Actonel cause side effects to the liver similar to excessive alcohol drinking?

4 Jun 2011

Hey phoebejune,

I am not a doctor so I am not real fimiliar with all the possible effects of this medication on the liver but I can share that it is primarily excreted through the kidneys rather than the liver suggesting less chance of it damaging the liver.

There are numerous causes of a raised serum gammma GT level including:

* congestive heart failure
* cholestasis (congestion of the bile ducts)
* cirrhosis of the liver
* Restricted blood flow to the liver
* restricted venous outflow from liver like Budd-Chiari syndrome
* Necrosis of the liver
* Liver tumors
* hepatitis
* hepatotoxic drugs

Has the doctor investigated all the possibilities other than chronic or acute alcohol use?

Your GGT level is very high so further investigation is in order. Please consult a specialist.

Best wishes,

Laurie