The medical treatment for autoimmune hepatitis through corticosteroid to new immunosuppressive agents: a concise review.
The treatment of autoimmune hepatitis is evolving as the natural history of the disease and newer agents become available. This concise review will outline the various treatment options in these patients. Treatment with current corticosteroids and azathioprine works in most patients but issues of intolerance and incomplete response arise. These situations led to the investigation of newer immunosupressants including mycophenolate mofetil, budesonide cyclosporine, tacrolimus and ursodeoxycholic acid. The newer agents have been studied in small patient numbers so they are not first-line treatment yet but do have a clear role in those patients with intolerance of incomplete response to standard corticosteroids and azathioprine.
Soloway
Roger D
RD
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Texas Medical Branch. Galveston, Texas 77573-0764, USA.
Hewlett
Alexander T
AT
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019693:Hepatitis, Autoimmune / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents