Management of primary biliary cirrhosis and autoimmune cholangitis.

Several drugs have been evaluated in the treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis over a number of years. These drugs have immunosuppressive, antiinflammatory, cupruretic, antifibrotic and bile acid properties. Ursodeoxycholic acid has been shown to improve survival free of transplantation in a conclusive fashion. This drug is the single agent that can be recommended for the treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis. Corticosteroid therapy and ursodeoxycholic acid have been evaluated in a few patients with autoimmune cholangitis. This article reviews a large number of studies that have been published assessing different drugs in the treatment of these two entities, particularly in the treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis.