For itching in biliary cirrhosis, which therapy is commonly used?

For itching in biliary cirrhosis, which therapy is commonly used?

• A. Ursodeoxycholic acid
• B. Prednisone
• C. Cholestyramine
• D. Ibuprofen

Answer: (C)

Itching from biliary cirrhosis comes from bile acids and other pruritogens building up in the body. The most effective way to relieve this itch is to reduce the amount of bile acids re-entering the body after they reach the gut. Cholestyramine is a bile acid sequestrant that binds bile acids in the intestine, preventing their reabsorption and increasing their excretion. This lowers circulating bile acids and often reduces pruritus, making it a commonly used therapy for cholestatic itch. Ursodeoxycholic acid can help improve bile flow in cholestasis but isn’t as reliably effective for itching. Prednisone targets inflammatory processes and isn’t a standard treatment for biliary pruritus. Ibuprofen isn’t helpful for itch and can be risky in liver disease.

Itching from biliary cirrhosis comes from bile acids and other pruritogens building up in the body. The most effective way to relieve this itch is to reduce the amount of bile acids re-entering the body after they reach the gut. Cholestyramine is a bile acid sequestrant that binds bile acids in the intestine, preventing their reabsorption and increasing their excretion. This lowers circulating bile acids and often reduces pruritus, making it a commonly used therapy for cholestatic itch.

Ursodeoxycholic acid can help improve bile flow in cholestasis but isn’t as reliably effective for itching. Prednisone targets inflammatory processes and isn’t a standard treatment for biliary pruritus. Ibuprofen isn’t helpful for itch and can be risky in liver disease.