Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis: Drug Therapy

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):
    • Lowers elevated liver enzymes (AP (alkaline phosphatase) and GGT (gamma-GT)).
    • Improves jaundice (jaundice)
    • Pruritus (itching) subsides significantly
  • 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