What are the AASLD recommendations for initial treatment regimens for autoimmune hepatitis (AIH)?

Updated: Jun 11, 2019
  • Author: David C Wolf, MD, FACP, FACG, AGAF, FAASLD; Chief Editor: BS Anand, MD  more...
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Answer

The AASLD guidelines suggest 2 potential initial treatment regimens for adults (see Table 3, below). Recently, the British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) has put forth their recommendations on treatment of autoimmune hepatitis. Essentially, the recommendations of both AASLD and BSG are the same and the differences are only in the wording. While BSG "strongly recommends" combination therapy with prednisone and azathioprine, AASLD recommends this option as "preferred."

Table 3. Treatment Regimens for Adults (Open Table in a new window)

 

Prednisone only (mg/d)

Combination

Prednisone (mg/d)

Azathioprine (mg/d)

Week 1

60

30

50

Week 2

40

20

50

Week 3

30

15

50

Week 4

30

15

50

Maintenance until

end point

20

10

50

Reasons for Preference

Cytopenia

Thiopurine methyltransferase deficiency

Pregnancy

Malignancy

Short course (6 mo or less)

Postmenopausal state

Osteoporosis

Brittle diabetes

Obesity

Acne

Emotional lability

Hypertension


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