AIH cannot be cured but it can be managed with medications to control symptoms, reduce inflamation, and prevent or reverse liver scarring. The treatment works by suppressing the immune system to prevent the inflammation caused. The goal of AIH treatment is to induce and maintain remission or prevention of long term inflamation.

• Steroids - most people will start on a steriod medication to reduce the inflammation.
• The response to steriods is measured by using blood tests (AST, ALT and lgG levels).
• As the LFTs improve, other immunosuppressive treatments are then started so that steroids can be reduced to as low a dose as possible or stopped.
• Steroids may have side effects if used long-term and so the goal is to limit their use as much as possible, to prevent complications such as osteoporosis.
• Azathioprine is the most commonly used immunosuppression medication long-term. Others options include 6- mercaptopurine, mycophenolate, or tacrolimus. Approximately 50% of patients may, in time, have steriod therapy completey witdrawn, but this is guided by the specialist physician.

AIH is a chronic disease and you will need blood tests on regular basis to ensure your disease remains under control.

 The majority of patients with moderate to severe disease will respond to treatment within 4 to 6 weeks and achieve remission (ie. disease control whereby liver blood tests return to normal) within 6 to 12 months.

If immunosuppressant  treatment is stopped completely, there is a significant risk of relapse or liver inflamation again,and therefore most people with require long term immunosuppresive therapy.

Unfortunately, for some people living with AIH, despite taking medication as prescribed, the liver disease may progress to cirrhosis and its complications, and a liver transplant may be needed.

• AIH or its treatment can affect organs other than the liver.

• Bone health:

  • Patients with AIH are recommended to have a bone scan (DEXA) scan every 3 years.

• Increased risk of skin cancer in some exposed skin:

  • Long term use of Azathioprine may increase the susseptability to skin cancer. It is therefore recommended that sunscreen (SPF50) is used on exposed skin to prevent skin cancer.