Azathioprine autoimmune active chronic

Several types of immunosuppression have also been tried. Azathioprine alone was found to have no effect on PBC [82], but additional benificial effects were found in combination with ursodeoxychohc add and corticosteroids [78]. Cyclosporin showed some success, espe-dally in corticosteroid-resistant autoimmune hepatitis [83], but its use is generally considerably hmited by severe side-effects. Corticosteroids were effective in the management of several types of autoimmune chronic active hepatitis [84,85] and in the management of acute al-cohohc hepatitis [86]. Their use, however, has to be brief hi order to minimize side-effects. In the treatment of PBC, corticosteroids alone were found to be toxic and had only limited efficacy [77]. 

Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) Uses immune system stimulant prevention/Rx of colds, flu as supportive th apy for colds chronic infxns of the resp tract lower urinary tract Action Stimulates phagocytosis cytokine production T resp cellular activity topically exerts anesthetic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory effects Efficacy Not established may X severity duration of URI Available forms Caps w/ powdered herb equivalent to 300-500 mg, PO, tid pressed juice 6-9 mL, PO, once/d tine 2-4 mL, PO, tid (1 5 dilution) tea 2 tsp (4 g) of powdered herb in 1 cup of boiling water Noles/SE Fever, taste p -version, urticaria, angioedema Contra w/ autoimmune Dz, collagen Dz, progressive systemic Dz (TB, MS, collagen-vascular disorders), HIV, leukemia, may interfere w/ immunosuppressive therapy Interactions t Risk of disulfiram-like reaction W/ disulfiram, metronidazole T risk of exacerbation of HIV or AIDS W/ chinacea amprenavir, other protease inhibitors X effects OF azathioprine, basiliximab, corticosteroids, cyclosporine, daclizumab, econazole vag cream, muromonab-CD3, mycophenolate, prednisone, tacrolimus EMS Possible immunosuppression... 

Rerson, J.L., McHutchison, J.G., Fong, T., Redeker, A.G. A case of cyclosporine-sensitive, steroid-resistant autoimmune chronic active hepatitis. J. Clin. Gastroent. 1993 17 317-320 Rratt, D.S., Flavin, D.R., Kaplan, M.M. The successful treatment of autoimmune hepatitis with 6-mercaptopurine after failure with azathioprine. Gastroenterology 1996 110 271-274 Rahaman, SM., Chira, R, Koff, R.S. Idiopathic autoimmune chronic hepatitis triggered by hepatitis A. Amer. J. Gastroent. 1994 89 106-108... 

R. Maintenance of remission in autoimmune chronic active hepatitis with azathioprine after corticosteroid withdrawal. Hepatology 1988 8 781-784... 

Although azathioprine-associated pulmonary toxicity mostly occurs as part of the azathioprine hjq)ersensitivity reaction, isolated interstitial pneumonitis has been reported in a 13-year-old girl with autoimmune chronic active hepatitis (9). 

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