Treatment goals

The goal of a PBC treatment plan should be to help slow damage to the bile ducts and lower alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels.

There are different treatments available for PBC. Make sure your treatment plan is right for you.

Track your progress on treatment to make sure you’re responding well. Remember: any ALP level above normal carries an increased risk of liver damage. If you’re not seeing the improvement you had hoped for, ask your doctor if there’s more you could do.

The essential PBC glossary

As you do your research on PBC, you may come across a lot of words that are new to you. We’ve created a glossary of common terms to help you in your understanding of this disease.

Learn key PBC terms

Start tracking your ALP levels to help you and your healthcare team make the PBC treatment plan that is best for you.

You can use the PBC Living® app on your smartphone for tracking or keep a journal that you take with you to your doctor visits.

Download the PBC Living® app

When people respond well to treatment:

  • Their ALP levels decrease
  • Their disease progression can slow down
  • Liver transplant may not be necessary
  • They could live longer than if they had not treated their PBC

Many people don’t respond well enough to their first PBC medicine. If your ALP levels are high or increasing, be proactive and talk with your doctor.

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It is important to start treatment early because medicine may work best in people whose PBC is still in the early stages

People who don’t respond well to treatment are at the highest risk for disease progression. To make sure you are responding to treatment:

  • Have your healthcare provider check your ALP level every 3 to 6 months
  • Ask your healthcare provider to monitor your ALP level to make sure it is not elevated or increasing
  • Work with your healthcare provider to find the treatment plan that will give you the best chance of lowering your ALP level

5 tips to help you remember to take your PBC medication

If you feel overwhelmed or sometimes just forget to take your medicine, you’re not alone. Taking your PBC medication as recommended is one of the best ways to keep you healthier longer. This means not missing doses because you forget or run out. Here are some tips that may help.

  • STAY ORGANIZED

    Get yourself a weekly pill box. It’s easy to forget whether you’ve taken a pill, but with this inexpensive tool, you can quickly check each day to see if you’ve taken your medicine.

  • FORM A HABIT

    Take your medicine as part of your regular routine, such as after your morning coffee or after you brush your teeth at night. Before you know it, you’ll have a new habit!

  • SET REMINDERS

    Whether you use a cell phone alarm, calendar alert, paper calendar, or a combination, setting a reminder is a simple way to stay on track with taking your medicine.

  • PREP WEEKLY

    Spend a few minutes preparing for the week ahead. For your PBC treatment, this could mean refilling your prescription, filling your pill box, and setting your reminders.

  • TALK IT OUT

    If you find that you’re not taking your medication routinely, talk to your healthcare team. They can help you come up with a plan or possibly adjust your treatment.

Even on treatment, your PBC may still be uncontrolled

About 40% of people do not adequately respond to their first PBC medicine. For many of these people, a different medicine may be able to help get their disease under control. If you’re treating but still struggling with high ALP levels, ask your doctor if there’s more you could do.

Learn more about a different PBC treatment

People with PBC may also have other autoimmune diseases

  • It’s important to address all your autoimmune diseases, including PBC, because the conditions may progress even if you are not experiencing symptoms
  • Once you are diagnosed with PBC, there are treatments your healthcare provider can prescribe or suggest that may help manage your symptoms—so you can stick to your treatment plan
  • Long-term management of your PBC can slow down disease progression, protecting your liver and your health

Managing multiple autoimmune diseases can be overwhelming, but expert help is available.

There are specialists who can help you manage each of your conditions, including PBC. Together with your healthcare team, you can create a treatment plan that works for you.

Learn more about autoimmune diseases

All participating parties, including patients, physicians, and experts, were compensated by ICPT.

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