symptomatic therapy in primary biliary cirrhosis

Last reviewed 01/2018

The most distressing symptom is usually pruritus which may respond to:

  • cholestyramine:
    • can be used up to 16g four times per day orally with food
    • UDCA and cholestyramine should be spaced a minimum of 2 -4h apart
  • rifampicin
  • opiate antagonists – Naloxone,
  • sertraline
  • antihistamines - their main benefit is due to their sedative properties, although their efficacy is limited

Fatigue responds poorly to therapy. Modafinil has been reported to be effective (2) 

Reference: