PBC Treatments
We believe in personalised care pathways, determined by each patient’s situation. An important part of this is access to the right treatment for you.
- URSO IS THE APPROVED FIRST-LINE TREATMENT FOR PBC.
- WITHIN A YEAR OF STARTING URSO, CLINICIANS CAN TELL IF YOU HAVE RESPONDED OR NOT.
- OBETICHOLIC ACID IS NOW APPROVED FOR PATIENTS WHO DO NOT FULLY RESPOND TO URSO.
- TREATMENTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR SOME OF THE SYMPTOMS OF PBC.
- ALWAYS DISCUSS YOUR SYMPTOMS WITH YOUR CLINICIAN, THEY ARE AN IMPORTANT PART OF MONITORING.
The initial treatment for all PBC patients is Ursodeoxycholic Acid (Urso or UDCA), it is currently the only approved first-line medical treatment for PBC. In recent years additional treatments such as Obeticholic Acid (OCA) and fibrates have also been used in the management of disease progression. As well as disease modification therapies, there are also medical treatments available to alleviate many of the symptoms of PBC, these are discussed below.
Disease Modification Treatments
Symptom Modification – Treatments for Itching
We understand how much itch can affect your quality of life and recommend discussing your symptoms, and any changes to them with your clinician as there are a number of medical treatments available.
You may also find some relief from the experience of others, in our self-care section, we have tips for coping with itch that have been shared by people with PBC.
Symptom Modification – Treatments for Fatigue
There are, as yet, no specific treatments for the lethargy associated with PBC. However, we are hugely encouraged by a number of ongoing research studies that look to both deepen the understanding of fatigue and brain fog in PBC and develop treatments that will significantly improve the PBC patient experience moving forward.
Watch this space, as and when we can, we will share more
In the meantime, one of the most effective approaches to fatigue-management is exercise. As counterintuitive as this may seem, exercise does improve the symptom of fatigue over time. Find out more about self-care.
Associated Conditions Therapies
PBC patients, who progress to cirrhosis will be monitored so that any complications can be identified and managed.
PBC patients may also experience other medical conditions, with up to 50% believed to have at least one other autoimmune condition, these in turn may have their own features and symptoms that need to be treated alongside your PBC.
Always take a list of all the tablets and medications that you are currently taking to medical appointments and highlight if anything has changed. If you have any questions about the interaction of your different medications, please speak to your clinician or a pharmacist. Find out more about associated conditions.
