Treatment for High Blood Ammonia Levels

High blood ammonia levels can be extremely dangerous if left untreated.

A healthy liver converts the ammonia in your body into urea, which is expelled in your urine. If the liver is unable to change ammonia to urea, your ammonia levels can rise to unhealthy levels, requiring treatment.

Causes

According to WebMD, liver disease, Reye's syndrome, heart failure and kidney failure may all cause high blood ammonia levels. Your doctor may choose to treat the cause of the high ammonia level instead of the ammonia.

Lactulose

Lactulose is a laxative that reduces the bacterial production of ammonia in your intestines, draws ammonia from your blood to your colon and purges the ammonia through your waste, according to Medline Plus.

Protein

Ammonia is produced when you body breaks down the protein you consume, and if you have a urea cycle disorder, your ammonia levels will rise. You doctor may choose to treat the elevated ammonia levels by limiting--not cutting out--the amount of protein in your diet.

Antibiotics

Neomycin, among other antibiotics, may be prescribed to reduce the amount of certain bacteria in your colon. Rifaximin, though expensive, is an effective treatment with fewer side effects.

Cut Other Medications

Medications that the liver must break down should be avoided, as well as medications with ammonium, according to Medline Plus.

References

• WebMD: Ammonia
• Medline Plus: Hepatic Encephalopathy
• Medline Plus: Hereditary Urea Cycle Abnormality

Resources

• eMedicine: Hepatic Encephalopathy