Causal (cause-related) therapy is not available.
Therapeutic target
Because primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is associated with an increased risk of developing cholangiocellular carcinoma (CCC; bile duct cancer), progression (progression) of the disease should be delayed as much as possible.
Therapy recommendations
- Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA; natural bile acid; for use as a drug, ursodeoxycholic acid is produced synthetically):
- For infections of the biliary tract: antibiosis (antibiotic therapy) with ceftriaxone.
Note: A benefit has not been proven beyond doubt! UDCA does not affect fibrosis (abnormal proliferation of connective tissue).
Further notes
- Immunosuppressants (drugs that decrease the functions of the immune system) currently play no role in the therapy of PSC.