Adverse Effects of Therapeutic Agents for Autoimmune Hepatitis
| Agent | Adverse effects | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Predni(so)lone | Cushingoid features, weight gain, osteoporosis, brittle diabetes, cataract, psychosis, hypertension | Adverse effects related to the high initial doses Mostly resolved by rapid tapering; or to maintenance dose exceeding 10 mg/day |
| Azatioprine | Nausea, heartburn, hepatotoxicity, hair loss, loss of appetite, fatigue, unusual bruising, myelosuppression, decreased resistance to infection, possibly increased risk of developing cancer | Mostly well tolerated Not tolerated with skewed metabolism from genetic polymorphism |
| Mycophenolate mofetil | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, heartburn, headache, dizziness, skin rash, decreased resistance to infection, myelotoxicity, teratogenicity | More effective second-line therapy in patients intolerant than unresponsive to azathioprine Contraindication in pregnancy |
| Cyclosporin, Tacrolimus | Nephrotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, decreased resistance to infection, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, hyperkalemia, hyperuricemia, hypomagnesemia, glucose intolerance, tremors, lymphoma, hirsutism (cyclosporin), gum hypertrophy (cyclosporin), alopecia (tacrolimus) | Adverse effects related to the dose/blood levels Necessity to monitor blood levels |