How is autoimmune hepatitis treated?

How is autoimmune hepatitis treated?

Once autoimmune hepatitis is diagnosed, a doctor will prescribe medications to stop the attack of the antibodies and to heal the inflamed liver. The treatment for autoimmune hepatitis is usually a high dose of a steroid (prednisone or prednisolone) to suppress the immune system and keep it from attacking the liver. The doctor may also prescribe azathioprine (Imuran®) to suppress the immune system.

As the condition improves, the doctor may lower the dosage of the medications. If the condition does not improve, other immune-suppressing medications may be needed.

Patients may need to be treated for several years before the disease goes into remission (lessens or goes away), at which point they may be taken off the medications. If they have a relapse (return of the disease), they may need to take the medications for a long time.

If the medications do not adequately treat the autoimmune hepatitis and the patient develops cirrhosis or liver failure, he or she may need a liver transplant.