Liver Vitamin

How do opioid analgesics cause coma to patients with liver disease?

I know opioid analgesics are metabolized by the liver therefore they wouldn't be metabolized properly in people with liver disease. But how does this lead to coma? HELP!

Public Comments

1. maybe you should ask your doctor that question
2. You are correct in saying that a person with liver disease is compromised in the effectiveness of breaking down drugs. What you need to understand is that opiod analgesics are central nervous system depressants. This means that your brain, heart, lungs start slowing down...until the drugs reach a level of toxicity in your body that forces them to shut down. Your brain will shut down first, thus causing a coma. Your heart and lungs will work during that time, however your heartbeats will be dramatically reduced and your breathing will become shallow and fewer. This is what makes opiods extremely dangerous.