My dad’s pleural mesothelioma was picked up very early—just a 1 cm nodule found on a routine scan because he used to smoke. At first the doctors called it a “mild” form, but the pathology soon revealed it was an aggressive subtype. We explored options, even hoped for a proton-beam trial, but he eventually started a double-drug immunotherapy. He managed only two cycles: side-effects were brutal, yet scans showed the tumour had stopped growing, so we felt cautiously hopeful.
That hope faded fast. Repeated infections landed him in A&E three times; altogether he spent about five months in hospital, in and out, chest drains and all. After the second-to-last admission he was discharged on co-amoxiclav, steroids and other meds. Within two weeks he was violently ill again. Back in A&E they found severe antibiotic toxicity—his liver was failing, he was jaundiced, and suddenly he needed round-the-clock care with hospice support. So instead of losing time to the cancer, we’re losing it to liver failure caused by a drug reaction.
It’s been a harsh reminder that quality of life can matter more than the extra months a treatment might buy.
Now to practicalities. Dad’s night-time coughing fits are distressing. Over-the-counter syrups barely touch it. Has anyone had success with stronger prescriptions? Would Oramorph help—both for the cough and for the obvious discomfort he’s in? (The liver damage has changed him so much.)
A hospice nurse visited today; we’ll find out what the doctor prescribes. But because we’re no longer seeing the oncologist, I’m worried the cough is being overlooked. Mum is reluctant to push for stronger drugs, and Dad hates sedatives, so I’d love to know what others have asked for and found effective.
Another frustration: I can’t piece together the timeline in his medical records. Was the antibiotic started in hospital or only after discharge? If it began on the ward, shouldn’t they have monitored liver function more closely—especially after immunotherapy? He was home just 2½ weeks before the liver failure was diagnosed, yet notes suggest the damage took about five weeks to develop. Without full access to his records we can only speculate. Mum doesn’t want me trawling through the NHS app, so we’re stuck with paperwork gaps.
The hospice team is sympathetic, and I hope they’ll agree that over-the-counter painkillers aren’t enough. He has a token 0.5 mg lorazepam for sleep—hardly adequate. Our parents’ generation can be stoic to a fault; persuading them to accept stronger palliative meds is proving a challenge.
Thanks for reading. Any advice—from cough remedies to getting clearer information—would really help.
(Our family’s experience with co-amoxiclav)
What happened
After three infection-related hospital admissions, Dad was sent home on co-amoxiclav and steroids. Within two weeks he returned to A&E jaundiced and critically ill: the antibiotic had caused acute liver failure. Cancer treatment stopped and we shifted to full-time hospice care.
Co-amoxiclav is the single most frequent cause of drug-induced liver injury. Damage can surface anytime from 5–40 days after you start—or even after you finish—the course.
Higher-risk profiles: age >55, repeat courses, and any existing liver strain from chemotherapy, radiotherapy or immunotherapy.
Early warning signs: yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, pale stools, itching, fatigue, or pain in the upper-right abdomen.
Pre-treatment:
Ask if a safer antibiotic can cover the infection.
Request baseline liver bloods (ALT, ALP, bilirubin).
During treatment:
Schedule repeat liver tests 1–2 weeks in; doctors can order quick bilirubin-only checks between full panels for faster alerts.
Keep a simple written log of every medication (date, dose, reason).
After treatment:
Remain vigilant for new itching, darker urine, or yellowing for up to a month—liver damage can declare itself late.
Report any symptom immediately; stopping the drug early often reverses harm.
Push for the shortest effective course (≤5 days when possible).
Document start/stop dates and monitor closely; risk climbs with longer or repeated courses.
For us, quality of life vanished almost overnight because of a medication we assumed was routine. If Dad’s story prompts even one caregiver to double-check an antibiotic plan or order follow-up liver tests, sharing it will have been worth it.
Just to say I cant have any more treatment due to liver damage.I did have a year if it before this happened but it does also mean I cant have chemo which was in reserve. Now I am left to wait and palliative will be next. Its pot luck with these side effects and its difficult to know what will happen before you have immunotherapy.
Whatever cancer throws your way, we’re right there with you.
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