How Cold Medications Affect Liver and Kidney Function Tests
Jul 16, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Shen Yonghua
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, cold medicines may affect liver and kidney function tests by influencing liver function indicators, interfering with kidney function indicators, increasing the metabolic burden on the liver and kidneys, causing abnormal test results, and concealing the true status of liver and kidney health. Some cold medications contain ingredients such as acetaminophen, which must be metabolized by the liver, and excessive or long-term use may lead to mild liver cell damage.
Generally, cold medications can affect liver and kidney function tests by influencing liver function indicators, interfering with kidney function indicators, increasing the metabolic burden on the liver and kidneys, causing abnormal test results, and masking the true condition of the liver and kidneys. If abnormalities occur, timely medical consultation is recommended. The specific analysis is as follows:
1. Influence on liver function indicators: Some cold medications contain ingredients such as acetaminophen, which require metabolism by the liver. Excessive or long-term use may cause mild liver cell damage, leading to elevated levels of indicators such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in liver function tests, deviating from the normal range.
2. Interference with kidney function indicators: Some ingredients in cold medications are excreted through the kidneys, which may affect glomerular filtration function, leading to fluctuations in indicators such as creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) during kidney function tests, thus failing to accurately reflect the true state of the kidneys.
3. Increased metabolic burden on liver and kidneys: After entering the body, the components of cold medications require additional metabolism and excretion by the liver and kidneys. Taking such medications before testing may place the liver and kidneys in a high-load state, causing temporary abnormalities in related indicators during the test.
4. Induction of abnormal test results: Excipients or metabolites in cold medications may react with testing reagents, interfering with the testing process and causing false elevations or reductions in liver and kidney function indicators, thus affecting the interpretation of test results.
5. Masking the true condition of the liver and kidneys: If there is existing mild liver or kidney damage, the indicator abnormalities caused by cold medications may be confused with pre-existing issues, making it difficult for tests to distinguish between drug-induced effects and actual organ pathology, thereby delaying accurate diagnosis.
Prior to undergoing liver and kidney function tests, patients should inform their doctor about the types and dosages of cold medications taken recently. It is advisable to discontinue cold medications before testing, with the exact duration of discontinuation following medical advice. If test results are abnormal, further examinations should be conducted in combination with medication history, avoiding conclusions based solely on a single test result, to ensure the test accurately reflects the condition of the liver and kidneys.
