AIH

June 18, 2005

autoimmune hepatitis

http://www.medcohealth.com/medco/consumer/ehealth/ehsarticle.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0766166395.1119230658-mm407329316197@@@@ & BV_EngineID=ccchaddemffjehecfklcgffdghfdfgh.0 & articleID=ALF%3aHep%3aAutoimmune+hepatitis

What is autoimmune hepatitis?

Autoimmune hepatitis or autoimmune chronic hepatitis is a progressive inflammation of the liver that has been identified by a number of different names, including autoimmune chronic active hepatitis (CAH), idiopathic chronic active hepatitis, and lupoid hepatitis. The reason for this inflammation is not certain, but it is associated with an abnormality of the body's immune system and is often related to the production of antibodies that can be detected by blood tests. Autoimmune hepatitis was first described in 1950 as a disease of young women, and is associated with increased gamma globulin in the blood and chronic hepatitis on liver biopsy. The presence of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and the resemblance of some symptoms to "systemic lupus erythematosus" (SLE) led to the label "lupoid hepatitis." It later became evident that this disease was not related to SLE. The disease is now called autoimmune hepatitis.

More at the above link.

Jo Lynne

[ ] AIH

Please forgive me for my ignorance. What is AIH? Thank you. Newbee, Cherie

November 30, 2008

All this must be very difficult for your family.

I don't understand -- you wrote, " My sister is still

waiting for her biopsy results and will hear from them on Friday. She

found out last week that she has AIH. "

Was she diagnosed with AIH before getting the biopsy results?

Best wishes.

Harper

**************

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December 1, 2008

Just thought I would add a little note here. I am the only one in my family

that has been dx'd with an autoimmune disease. (That's not saying that there's

a possibility that someone had it years ago.) I was also dx'd with AIH before I

had my biopsy. Months later when I had the biopsy it comfirmed the dx.

Hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving. Wishing everyone well. Ellie

From: flatcat9@... <flatcat9@...>

Subject: Re: [ ] AIH

Date: Sunday, November 30, 2008, 11:34 PM

All this must be very difficult for your family.

I don't understand -- you wrote, " My sister is still

waiting for her biopsy results and will hear from them on Friday. She

found out last week that she has AIH. "

Was she diagnosed with AIH before getting the biopsy results?

Best wishes.

Harper

************ **

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December 14, 2008

Hi Ellie,

Couldn't help noticing your name is Irish. Is that your maiden name?

If so, just be aware that those of Irish descent tend to have very

high rates of autoimmune diseases, and celiac disease (autoimmune) is

thought to have possibly originated in Ireland.

Autoimmune thyroid and liver disease is frequently associated with

celiac disease. And lot of people with celiac disease don't know they

have it, because they either have no symptoms OR they've been told

that they have " IBS " (Irritable Bowel Syndrome).

Take care,

JoAnn

>

> Just thought I would add a little note here. I am the only one in

my family that has been dx'd with an autoimmune disease. (That's not

saying that there's a possibility that someone had it years ago.) I

was also dx'd with AIH before I had my biopsy. Months later when I

had the biopsy it comfirmed the dx.

>

> Hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving. Wishing everyone well. Ellie

>

September 9, 2009

thanks for that article

one of the best i've seen, particularly for people newly diagnosed, gives a

realistc look at treatment and outcomes - some of the more commonly seen

pages go quite deeply into 'if it all goes wrong' untreated clinical

outcomes which can be so scary for newly diagnosed. of course it's important

to be fully informed, but sometimes it can really be a little knowledge is a

dangerous thing to people who are newly sick and scared.

Anyway, point being... thanks for the post.

On Thu, Sep 10, 2009 at 6:06 AM, jjcathcart <JJCATHCART@...> wrote:

>

> http://www.wjgnet.com/1007-9327/15/1035.asp

> Abstract

>

> Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a necroinflammatory liver disease of unknown

> etiology that occurs in children and adults of all ages. Characteristics

> are

> its autoimmune features, hyperglobulinemia (IgG), and the presence of

> circulating autoantibodies, as well as a response to immunosuppressant

> drugs. Current treatment consists of prednisone and azathioprine and in

> most

> patients this disease has become very treatable. Over the past 2 years, a

> couple of new insights into the genetic aspects, clinical course and

> treatment of AIH have been reported, which will be the focus of this

> review.

> In particular, we concentrate on genome-wide microsatellite analysis, a

> novel mouse model of AIH, the evaluation of a large AIH cohort for overlap

> syndromes, suggested novel criteria for the diagnosis of AIH, and the

> latest

> studies on treatment of AIH with budenoside and mycophenolate mofetil.

>

> __________________________________________________________

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September 16, 2009

http://www.autoimmunehepatitis.co.uk/drugs.htm This is the Link To Matt

Hastings great page.......... He has amassed lots of information

through the years. Joanne

..

:: AIH / Drugs and Treatment 16th September, 2009

:: Drugs Explained

IMPORTANT NOTE: Almost all drugs, including those used to treat AIH

and its complications, have at least some adverse side-effects. However, the

frequency and severity of side-effects varies widely between the different

drugs and between different people. For example, at the doses normally used

for treating AIH, for most people the risk of serious side effects with

prednisolone and azathioprine is relatively low, while some drugs such as

ursodeoxycholic acid only seldom have side-effects and these are very rarely

serious. Also, the symptoms of some side-effects can often be due to other

causes and not to the drug itself. Doctors are very aware of the various

side-effects and prescribe the drugs only when the benefits outweigh the

risks. The important thing is to take the drugs exactly as prescribed by

your doctor and, if you develop symptoms that you think might be related to

side-effects, discuss these fully with your doctor.

Generic Name Brand Name(S)

Azathioprine Imuran

Corticosteroids -

Chlorphenirahine Piriton

Cyclosporin Neoral, Sandimmun, SangCya

Diuretics -

Mycophenolate CellCept

Omeprazole Losec

Phytomenadione (Vit K) Konakion

Prednisolone Precortisyl Forte, Prednesol

Ranitidine Zantac

Spironolactone Aldactone

Sucralfate Antepsin

Tacrolimus Prograf

Ursodeoxycholic Acid Destolit, Urdox, Ursofalk, Ursogal

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Azathioprine

Explanation: It is a powerful CYTOTOXIC and IMMUNOSUPPRESSANT

drug. It is mainly used to reduce tissue rejection in transplant patients,

but it can also be used to treat myasthenia gravis, rheumatoid arthritis,

ulcerative colitis and several autoimmune diseases.

Possible Side-Effects: Hypersensitivity reactions including

dizziness, malaise, vomiting, fever, muscular pains and shivering, joint

pain, jaundice, heart arrhythmias, low blood pressure (requiring withdrawal

of treatment), symptoms of bone marrow suppression, which should be reported

(eg bleeding or bruising), hair loss, increased susceptibility to

infections, nausea, pneumonia and pancreatitis.

Corticosteroids

Explantion: Steroid hormone secreted by the cortex (outer part)

of the adrenal glands, or are synthetic substances that closely resemble the

natural forms. There are two main types, glucocorticoids and

mineralocorticoids. The latter assist in maintaining the salt-and water

balance of the body. Corticosteroids such as the glucocorticoid

HYDROCORTISONE and the mineralocorticoid FLUDROCORTISONE ACETATE can be

given to patients for replacement therapy where there is a deficiency, or in

's disease, or following adrenalectomy or hypopituitarism. The

glucocorticoids are potent ANTI-INFLAMMATORY and ANTI-ALLERGIC drugs and are

frequently used to treat inflammatory and/or allergic reactions of the skin,

airways and elsewhere. COMPOUND PREPARATIONS are available that contain both

an ANTIBACTERIAL or ANTIFUNGAL drug with an anti-inflammatory corticosteroid

and can be used in conditions where an infection is also present. However,

these preparations must be used with caution because the corticosteroid

component diminishes the patient's natural immune response to the infective

agent. Absorption of a high dose of corticosteroid over a period of time may

also cause undesirable, systemic side-effects.

Possible Side-Effects: Mineralocorticoid adverse effects include

hypertension, sodium and water retention and potassium loss. Glucocorticoid

adverse effects include diabetes, osteoporosis, avascular necrosis, mental

disturbances, euphoria, muscle wasting and possibly peptic ulceration.

Corticosteroids may also cause Cushing's syndrome, suppressed growth in

children and adrenal atrophy. If administered during pregnancy, they may

affect adrenal gland development in the child. Suppression of the sympoms of

infection may occuR.

Chlorphenirahine

Explantion: Is an ANTIHISTAMINE drug. It is used to treat the

symptoms of allergic conditions such as hay fever and urticaria (itchy skin

rash) and is also occasionally used in emergencies to treat anaphylactic

shock. Administration is either oral as tables or a syrup, or by injection.

Side-effects: Because of its sedative side-effects, the

performance of skilled tasks such as driving may be impaired. Injections may

be irritant and cause short-lasting hypotension and stimulation of the

central nervous system.

Cyclosporin

Explantion: It is an IMMUNOSUPPRESSANT drug, which is

particularly to limit tissue rejection during and following organ transplant

surgery. It can also be used to treat severe, active rheumatoid arthritis

and some skin conditions such as severe, resistant atopic dermatitis and)

under special supervision) psoriasis. It has very little effect on the

blood-cell producing capacity of the bone marrow, but does have liver

toxicity.

Possible Side-Effects: Include changes in blood enzymes,

disturbances in liver, kidney and cardiovascular function, excessive hair

growth, gastrointestinal disturbances, tremor, gum growth, oedema

(accumulation of fluid in the tissues), fatigue and burning sensations in

the hands and feet.

Duretics

Explantion: Drugs used to reduce fluid in the body by increasing

the excretion of water and mineral salts by the kidney, so increasing urine

production.

Mycophenolate

Explantion: see Cyclosporin

Possible Side-Effects: Diarrhoea, vomiting, constipation,

nausea, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, dizziness, insomnia, headache, tremor.

Omeprazole

Explantion: Is an ulcer-healing drug. It works by being a

proton-pump inhibitor and so interferes with the secretion of gastric acid

from the parietal cells of the stomach lining. It is used for the treatment

of benign gastric and duodenal ulcers.

Possible Side-Effects: Diarrhoea or constipation, nausea,

flatulence; dizziness, headaches, sleep disorders, disturbances of vision,

hair loss, skin and mood disorders (some of these last side-effects occur

only in the very ill).

Phytomenadione (Vit K)

Explantion: Is a natural form of Vitamin K and is normally

obtained from vegetables and dairy products. Phytomenadione can be used to

treat Vit K deficiency, but not a deficiency caused by malabsorption states.

Administration is either oral in the form of tables or by slow intravenous

injection.

Possible Side-effects: there may be liver damage if high doses

are taken for a long period.

Prednisolone

Explantion: It is a synthetic, glucocorticoid CORTICOSTEROID

with ANTI-INFLAMMATORY properties. It is used in the treatment of a number

of rheumatic and allergic conditions (particularly those affecting the

joints or lungs) and collagen disorders. It is also an effective treatment

for ulcerative colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, rectal

or anal inflammation, haemorrhoids and as an IMMUNOSUPPRESSANT in the

treatment of myasthenia gravis. It may also be used for systemic

corticosteroid therapy.

Possible Side-Effects: See Corticosteroids

Ranitidine

Explantion: Is an effective and extensively prescribed

H2-antagonist and ulcer-healing drug. It is used to assist in the treatment

of benign peptic (gastric and duodenal) ulcers, to relieve heartburn in

cases of reflux oesophagitis (caused by regurgitation of acid and enzymes

into the oesophagus).

Possible Side-Effects: Tiredness, rash, dizziness, headache or

confusion.

Spironolactone

Explantion: Is a diuretic drug of the aldosterone-antagonist

type. It is also potassium-sparing and so can be used in conjunction with

other types of diuretic, such as the thiazides, which cause loss of

potassium, to obtain a more beneficisal action. It can be used to treat

oedema (accumulation of fluid in the tissues) associated with aldosteronism

(abnormal production of aldosterone by the adrenal gland), in congestive

heart failure treatment, kidney disease and fluid retention and ascites

caused by liver disease.

Possible Side-Effects: Gastrointestinal disturbances, impotence

and gynaecomastia (enlargements of breats) in men; irregular periods in

women; skin rashes, raised blood potassium and lowered blood sodium levels.

Sucralfate

Explantion: Is a drug that is a complex of aluminium hydroxide

and sulphated sucrose. It can be used as a long-term treatment of gastric

and duodenal ulcers. It has very little antacid action, but is thought to

work as a cytoprotectant by forming a barrier over an ulcer, so protecting

it from acid and the enzyme pepsin and allowing it to heal.

Possible Side-Effects: Constipation, diarrhoea, nausea,

indigestion, gastric discomfort, dry mouth, skin rash and itching.

Tacrolimus

Explantion: It is a IMMUNOSUPPRESSANT drug (a MACROLIDE

ANTIBIOTIC) that is used particularly to limit tissue rejection during and

following organ transplant surgery (particularly of liver or kidney).

Possible Side-Effects: See Cyclosporin

Ursodeoxycholic Acid

Explantion: A drug that can dissolve some gallstones in situ.

Administration is oral in the form of capsules or tablets.

Possible Side-Effects: Diarrhoea and itching, mid liver

dysfunction and changes in blood enzymes.

:: SECOND TITLE

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September 16, 2009

tried to download the booklet but doesnt seem to be there, site is on fav now

though. thanks.

Carole

[ ] AIH

http://www.autoimmunehepatitis.co.uk/drugs.htm This is the Link To Matt

Hastings great page.......... He has amassed lots of information

through the years. Joanne

.