Other Treatments of Autoimmune Hepatitis

People who do not respond to standard immune therapy or who have severe side effects may benefit from other immunosuppressive agents like mycophenylate mofetil, cyclosporine or tacrolimus. People who progress to end stage liver disease (liver failure) and/or cirrhosis may need a liver transplant. Transplantation has a 1-year survival rate of 90 percent and a 5-year survival rate of 70 to 80 percent.

source: http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/autoimmunehep/index.htm

Hope Through Research for Autoimmune Hepatitis

Scientists are studying various aspects of autoimmune hepatitis to find out who gets it and why and to discover better ways to treat it. Basic research on the immune system will expand knowledge of autoimmune diseases in general. Epidemiologic research will help doctors understand what triggers autoimmune hepatitis in some people. Research on different steroids, alternatives to steroids, and other immunosuppressants will eventually lead to more effective treatments.

source: http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/autoimmunehep/index.htm

Points to Remember About Autoimmune Hepatitis

• Autoimmune hepatitis is a long-term disease in which your body's immune system attacks liver cells.
  
  
• The disease is diagnosed using various blood tests and a liver biopsy.
  
  
• With proper treatment, autoimmune hepatitis can usually be controlled. The main treatment is medicine that suppresses the body's overactive immune system.

source: http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/autoimmunehep/index.htm

For More Information About Autoimmune Hepatitis

American Liver Foundation (ALF)
75 Maiden Lane, Suite 603
New York, NY 10038-4810
Phone: 1-800-GO-LIVER (465-4837),
1-888-4HEP-USA (443-7872),
or (212) 668-1000
Fax: (212) 483-8179
Email: info@liverfoundation.org
Internet: www.liverfoundation.org

source: http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/autoimmunehep/index.htm