What's the treatment for primary biliary cirrhosis?
There is no known specific treatment for PBC. However, many of the symptoms can be treated, and complications of liver failure can often be controlled with a salt-restricted diet and medication (usually water pills). The treatment of bone thinning
is controversial. Vitamins A, D and K are used once jaundice is present. Cholestyramine is prescribed for the relief of itching. Medication known as ursodeoxycholic acid may delay the progression of the disease. Ursodeoxycholic acid (or URSO) may help to slow down the disease in some patients. But for some patients with very early or very late stage disease the benefit may be negligible. Rarely, other medicines such as corticosteroids or immune suppressing medicines may be used. Dry eyes or mouth may be treated with artificial tears (Hypotears, Liquifilm tears, Sno Tears ) or artificial saliva (Glandosane, Luborant, Saliva Orthana, Saliveze).
Further, liver transplantation is now a common treatment option for people with advanced PBC. When medical treatment no longer controls the disease and the patient has severe liver failure, transplantation is indicated. Signs of liver failure include accumulation of fluid in the abdomen, malnutrition, gastrointestinal bleeding, intractable itching, jaundice, and bone fractures. Transplantation may be recommended before all these events occur. The outcome for patients with PBC who have undergone transplantation is excellent. The survival rate for two or more years is about 60-80 percent. The use of new drugs to suppress rejection has made transplantation even more successful. The disease's slow progress makes it possible to plan elective transplant surgery. |
