Is Azathioprine indicated for pbc

[YADILURO]

Hi Again. just went to the GI, and yes it's confirmed I have PBC. So far I drink 1000 mg of Urso but I was proscribed today Azathioprine 50 mg. But reading about it scares me. Has any body taken this. Is it safe?? It says it cause hepátic insuficiente. I don't know of I should take it. I am asymptomatic!!

[kimphoebe]

I was prescribed it when first dx with Pbc but they weren't sure if I had autimune hepititus aswell. It's not usually prescribed for Pbc. Didn't take it for long made me feel really unwell.

[EileenUSA]

Hi,

As I understand it that would be prescribed if there is overlap dx of AIH. And to my understanding AIH would be dx'd by liver biopsy ( someone with AIH might confirm or correct this). I don't blame you for questioning the need for this drug.

I know you are new to PBC. I highly recommend joining the PBC foundation (its free and quick to join) and you can get the most recent newsletter The Bear Facts August 2017 issue). There is a fantastic 8 page pull out in the newsletter summarizing EASL (European Assoc. Study of Liver) guidelines for best practices/management of PBC. This summary is annotated for us as patients-- Its an excellent resource for all of us with PBC. Urge everyone to have a look.

Just go to pbcfoundation.org.uk to join foundation! You'll then get access to newsletters and other support documents.

[EileenUSA in reply to EileenUSA]

easl.eu/medias/cpg/Primary%...

Here's a link to the Journal of Hepatology Document

"EASL Clinical Practice Guidelines: The diagnosis and management of patients with primary biliary Cholangitis"

As I noted in my reply above-- the 8 page pull out in the latest Bear Facts Newsletter is an annotated and summarized version that is much more user friendly for us patients. IMO.

[Hidden]

I take 50 mgs of AZA, 1000 mgs of Urso and and I'm down to 12.5 mgs of prednisone

I have PbC, and aih. I'm supposed to be early and it barely appeared in my liver biopsy. I was sick for a couple weeks but the dr has to give you a blood test to make sure that you can take the aza.

[dianekjs]

As others have said, it's not indicated for PBC, but is sometimes used in AIH (Autoimmune Hepatitis) as well as in other autoimmune diseases. How was your PBC diagnosed? You need to have two out of three positive signs: abnormal LFTs, abnormal liver biopsy with histological evidence of PBC, and/or positive AMA. Is your GI doc a hepatologist, and do you have other autoimmune conditions?

[YADILURO in reply to dianekjs]

AMA POSITIVE, ANA POSITIVE, LFT ADNORMAL, BUT NO BIOPSY YET. SO WE THINK ITS PBC. AND NO MY GI IS NOTA A HEPTOLOGIST, JUST ABOUT TO MAKE APPOINTMENT WITH HEPATOLIGIST THIS MONTH.

[EileenUSA in reply to YADILURO]

Glad you are going to get in with a hepatologist. Personally, I wouldn't start the Aza until consult with specialist. I really do recommend the PBC foundations latest newsletter Bear Facts 8 page pull out- it will give you great concise guidance for your upcoming appointment etc. meanwhile, try not to stress too much. Once you have good specialist on your team you will adjust to the new "normal" of having PBC and life will go on. We've all been there! Take care.

[YADILURO in reply to EileenUSA]

THANK YOU SO MUCH. MY APPOINTMENT IS ON THE 19, SO I WILL WAIT THIS DAY WITH OUT AZA. JUST STAY WITH MY URSO. THANK YOU ALL FOR ALL FOR EVEYTHING

[dianekjs in reply to YADILURO]

With a positive ANA, you may also want to schedule an appointment with a rheumatologist if you haven't done so yet. Overlap autoimmune conditions are quite common and it may be a good idea to have additional antibody testing done. Best of luck to you, please let us know how you are doing.

[PBCRobert Partner]

Q1) Why Azathioprine for PBC?

2) What are you liver biochemistry results (Bloods, LFTs, etc)

These may be answered quickly by your consultant or consultant's secretary. They mey also be helpful in getting the answers you seek...

Robert.

[YADILURO in reply to PBCRobert]

THANK YOUR. MY LFTs are TGO 174, TGP 265, ALP 575, GGT 881, DHL 330 WITH CHOLESTEROL 326, TRIG. 104, AND URIC ACID 7.9 (HIGH)

WITH IGG 1427, IG M 144, AMA POSITIVE 1:40, ASMA NEGATIVE, ANA POSITIVE 7.5, THE OTHER BLOOD WORKS ARE ACTUALLY NORMAL.