You Are Here » Primary Biliary Cirrhosis » Points to Remember

Primary Biliary Cirrhosis

Contents of this Article

Points to Remember

• Primary biliary cirrhosis is a chronic disease that causes the bile ducts in the liver to become inflamed and damaged and, ultimately, disappear.
• Injured liver tissue from chronic inflammation and the buildup of bile leads to cirrhosis, a condition in which the liver slowly deteriorates and malfunctions.
• The cause of primary biliary cirrhosis is unknown. Most research suggests the disease is an autoimmune condition.
• Primary biliary cirrhosis is more common in people who have a parent or sibling - particularly an identical twin - with the disease.
• Most people are diagnosed early, before the disease progresses. The disease is often discovered when routine blood tests to check liver function are abnormal.
• Many people with primary biliary cirrhosis do not have symptoms until after the disease is diagnosed.
• The first and most common symptoms of the disease are itching, called pruritus, and fatigue. Other symptoms include dry eyes and mouth and jaundice.

• The anti-mitochondrial antibody (AMA) blood test, the alkaline phosphatase blood test, and a liver biopsy may be necessary to confirm a diagnosis of primary biliary cirrhosis.
• Some of the complications of primary biliary cirrhosis are osteoporosis and maldigestion.
• Early treatment delays, but does not stop, the eventual onset of cirrhosis and liver failure.
• Ursodiol (Actigall) is the only drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis.
• Liver transplantation is the only treatment that will cure primary biliary cirrhosis. A liver transplant is considered when complications cannot be controlled by treatment.

Back To Top

References:
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC)
December 2008
digestive.niddk.nih.gov

The information discussed above is a general overview and does not include all the facts, or include everything there is to know about any medicine and/or products mentioned. Do not use any medicine and/or products without first talking to your doctor. Possible side effects of medications, other than those listed, may occur. Other brand names or generic forms of this medicine may also be available. If you have questions or concerns, or want more information, your doctor or pharmacist has the complete prescribing information about this medicine and possible drug interactions.