What drugs increase ammonia levels?

Are you one of those people who just love popping pills? Do you have a cabinet full of prescription medication and supplements? Have you ever wondered what these drugs do to your body, aside from curing whatever ailment they were prescribed for? Well, if you’re reading this article then I bet the question on your mind is: “What drugs increase ammonia levels?”.

Ammonia is a colorless gas with a pungent odor, commonly used in cleaning supplies. While necessary for some biological processes, too much can be toxic. In humans, elevated ammonia levels are often indicative of liver or kidney dysfunction. But did you know that certain medications can also raise ammonia levels? Here’s what we found:

Psychiatric Medications

Antipsychotics, which are used to treat conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder may elevate blood ammonia levels. These drug types work by blocking dopamine receptors in the brain to help regulate mood swings and other symptoms associated with psychiatric disorders.

Another class of medication called benzodiazepines, commonly known as sedatives or tranquilizers, may also contribute to an elevation in ammonia levels. Benzodiazepines work by enhancing the activity of GABA neurotransmitters in the brain resulting in relaxation effects making it ideal for anxiety management.

Painkillers

You would think painkillers like morphine would have nothing to do with elevating O2 saturations but surprisingly enough- Ah yes here’s another example when not taking precaution leads us down dangerous paths; opioid-based painkillers such as morphine sulfate likely reduce breathing ability slowing down metabolic functions which causes an accumulation of nitrogenous waste products including increased production of blood urea nitrogen/concentration leading to potential buildup = high amounts!

Additionally nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin may cause slightly elevated‐ammonia concentrations especially when other medications such as diuretics (thiazides especially), ACE inhibitors, or beta-blockers are being taken simultaneously.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapeutic agents, which are used to treat cancer patients by killing off rapidly dividing cells, can also elevate ammonia levels. In a study published in the Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice more than fifty percent had increased ammonium concentration even after receiving standard chemotherapy treatment.

Antibiotics

Have you ever been prescribed antibiotics for an infection? Certain classes of antibiotics may increase your ammonia levels! Particularly trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and chloramphenicol . Though these drugs have broad spectrum anti-bacterial activity that disrupts bacterial cell walls leading to death this action often times does come at a price with long term usage increasing susceptibility to ammonia build ups in urine.

Anti-epileptic Agents

When looking at neurology almost every medication takes us two inches closer but knocks out one tooth completely; Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) like valproic acid may raise blood ammonia levels.. These cause seizures and paralyzing episodes leading towards limited motor control while boosting GABA neurotransmitters concentration within various bodies regions causing “seizure-prone” individuals who aren’t controlling natural brain wave patterns when under certain stimuli responsible for random ebb & flow ranging from mild twitches through full bouts into convulsions.

Carbamazepine has some associations elsewhere between increased serum alanine transaminase activity when compared against placebo-controlled groups that hints it might hold potential risks related to greater muscle damage down the road without any immediate signs presenting themselves outwardly aka harmful over time rather than just right now but with rising concentrations 2+ years post-intake!

In conclusion, several medications can contribute to elevation of blood Ammonia level so make sure you remain aware about their side-effects and monitor them closely if they have already been prescribed by your doctor!

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