Background     Most opioids are at least partially metabolized by the liver, complicating their use in liver failure.  This Fast Fact discusses the use of opioids in patients with liver failure (see also Fast Fact #161 about opioid use in renal failure, Fast Fact#176 and Fast Fact#177 about managing ascites and Fast Fact #189 about prognostication in end-stage liver disease). Note: while there are plenty of pharmacokinetic data about opioids & liver failure, all the clinical recommendations below are empiric and not based on clinical outcomes research.

Hepatic opioid metabolism   There are two different types of chemical reactions involved in hepatic drug metabolism.  The first, oxidation/reduction reactions, occurs through the cytochrome (CYP) P450 enzyme system.  The CYP450 enzymes most relevant in palliative medicine include CYP1A2, 2D6, 2C9, 2C19, 3A3 and 3A4; most opioids are metabolized by these enzymes. In hepatic failure, opioid clearance is reduced, and drug bioavailability is increased. These changes can be secondary to reduced hepatic blood flow (limiting first-pass metabolism) or decreased CYP450 enzyme levels in these patients.  Conjugation and glucuronidation comprise the second group of chemical reactions in the liver. These reactions are less affected in hepatic disease due to glucuronidation enzyme preservation and because of extrahepatic glucuronidation processes. Glucuronidated opioid metabolites are generally renally excreted. Changes such as decreased serum albumin and ascites can also alter opioid volume of distribution which can lead to either increased or decreased drug concentrations, although there is no practical way to ‘test’ for or predict this apart from close clinical observation.

Morphine is metabolized by glucuronidation to two major metabolites, morphine-3-glucuronide (M3G) and morphine-6-glucuronide (M6G).  M6G is an active analgesic that is more potent than morphine, while M3G has no analgesic effect but contributes to neurotoxic side effects such as confusion.  Morphine accumulation has been reported in liver disease which can result from decreased plasma clearance and/or increased elimination half-life of the parent drug.  In patients with early liver disease, initial lower doses should be used, but at normal dosing intervals. However, as the disease progresses to advanced hepatic failure, longer dosing intervals may be necessary.

Oxycodone is metabolized to two different metabolites by CYP2D6 and 3A4. However, neither metabolite contributes significantly to analgesia. In advanced liver failure, oxycodone’s maximum concentration increases 40%, and immediate-release oxycodone’s half-life increases to 4.6-24.4 hours (average 14 hours; its usual half-life is ~3.5 hours).  Initial oxycodone dosing in patients with severe hepatic failure should be reduced to 30%-50% of the recommended starting dose.

Codeine & meperidine   Both these drugs should be avoided in patients with liver failure. Codeine is a prodrug that is hepatically converted to morphine by CYP2D6. Therefore, analgesia can be compromised in liver failure. Meperidine is metabolized by CYP3A4 to normeperidine.  In hepatic disease, meperidine clearance is reduced. Seizures, a major side effect of meperidine and normeperidine, can occur even at reduced meperidine doses in patients with hepatic failure (see Fast Fact #71).

Tramadol is a prodrug that requires first-pass metabolism. In liver failure, first pass metabolism is reduced and result in ineffective pain relief.  With significant variability in pharmacokinetics and metabolism, there are also concerns about elimination and possible drug accumulation.  Unlike other opioids, it also has effects on serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake and could interact or raise concern for serotonin overload as well as seizures.  Given these concerns, tramadol should be generally avoided.

Hydromorphone & hydrocodone     Hydromorphone is glucuronidated to metabolites which have no analgesic properties but can be neurotoxic (see Fast Fact #57, Fast Fact #58, Fast Fact #142).   Hydrocodone is a prodrug metabolized by CYP2D6 to hydromorphone and other metabolites, and is only available in combination with non-opioids such as acetaminophen.  Hydrocodone dose titrations are limited by the non-opioid component, and overconsumption of acetaminophen- containing products is hepatotoxic.  In patients with severe liver disease, initial starting doses of each drug should be reduced to 50% of normal and as the disease progresses, prolonged dosing intervals may also be necessary.

Fentanyl is primarily metabolized by CYP3A4 and quickly redistributes to muscle and fat upon administration.  In single-bolus studies, intravenous fentanyl’s pharmacokinetics were unchanged by liver failure, however its half-life was prolonged with repeated dosing or high dose therapy.  Transdermal fentanyl has not been adequately studied in liver failure. Hepatic failure can alter skin permeability and drug absorption; the clinical relevance of this, if any, has not been determined. Some experts suggest fentanyl is a preferred opioid in liver failure, although this judgment is largely empiric.

Buprenorphine   Primary metabolized by CYP3A4, a small study showed an increase in total drug exposure in those with hepatic impairment.  It has not been well studied in those with liver failure.

Methadone is metabolized by CYP3A4, 2D6 and 1A2. Methadone’s clearance is reduced in severe liver disease. Notably, however, hepatitis C infection stimulates CYP3A4 activity and may increase methadone clearance, particularly early on (before overt liver failure occurs).

Clinical management pearls   As in any clinical setting, the ‘right dose’ of an opioid analgesic medication is that which provides adequate pain relief in conjunction with an acceptable side effect profile.  This statement is especially true in end stage liver disease (ESLD).  Opioid doses should not be decreased solely out of concern for hepatic disease (e.g., if a patient with ESLD appears to tolerate and require q3 hour dosing of oxycodone, that dosage should continue).  In general, lower doses of most opioids should be initiated in patients with ESLD, and clinicians should be cautious prescribing opioids at ‘regular’ dosing intervals until patients have demonstrated an ability to tolerate them. Patients with deteriorating liver function should be closely monitored for signs of drug accumulation and need for dose reductions. Potential drug interactions involving the CYP450 enzyme system must always be considered.

References 

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4. Johnson SJ.  Opioid safety in patients with renal or hepatic dysfunction.  June 2007. Pain Treatment Topics (Web).
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8. Soleimanpour H, Safari S, Shahsavari Nia K, et al. Opioid Drugs in Patients With Liver Disease: A Systematic Review. Hepat Mon. 2016 Mar 6;16(4):e32636.
9. Klinge M, Coppler T, Liebschutz JM, Dugum M, Wassan A, DiMartini A, Rogal S. The assessment and management of pain in cirrhosis. Curr Hepatol Rep. 2018 Mar;17(1):42-51. 
10. Nasser AF, Heidbreder C, Liu Y, et al. Pharmacokinetics of Sublingual Buprenorphine and Naloxone in Subjects with Mild to Severe Hepatic Impairment (Child-Pugh Classes A, B, and C), in Hepatitis C Virus-Seropositive Subjects, and in Healthy Volunteers. Clin Pharmacokinet. 2015 Aug;54(8):837-49. 

Authors’ Affiliations:  Lake Health System & Ohio Northern University, Concord, OH (CO); Mount Carmel St. Ann’s Hospital, Westerville, OH (NM); University of Minnesota Medical School & Fairview Health Services, Minneapolis, MN (DAR).
Version History:  First published August 2012. Copy-edited by Sean Marks in September 2015; reviewed and revised in January 2026 by Cole Macke DO.
Conflicts of Interest: None to report.