| Corticosteroids |
Generally instituted
(a) To control symptoms
(b) When laboratory measurements of liver function
are elevated, or
(c) Abnormalities are noted on pathology specimens.
Note: In patients with hepatitis C, treatment
with steroids is started first before treating
the viral hepatitis |
60 mg by mouth once daily for
7 days, then 40 mg by mouth once daily for
7 days then 30 mg by mouth once daily for
14 days. Then 20 mg by mouth once daily
|
| Azothioprine |
May be used in patients with high
risk of side effects from corticosteroids. Combined
therapy with corticosteroids can allow lowering
the dose of corticosteroids |
50 mg by mouth once daily. If used
in combination with steroids then 30 mg by mouth
once daily |
| Cyclosporine |
Alternative in children with high
risk of side effects from corticosteroids |
4 mg per kg of body weight by mouth
once daily for 2-3 days then increase dose every
2-3 days to achieve a whole blood concentration
of 250 +/- 50 mg/mL for the first three months |