When your immune system turns against your own body, it can target your liver—this is autoimmune liver disease, a group of chronic conditions where the immune system mistakenly attacks liver cells, leading to inflammation and damage. Also known as autoimmune hepatitis, it’s not caused by alcohol, viruses, or toxins—it’s your body’s own defense system gone rogue. Unlike hepatitis from infection, this type builds slowly, often without symptoms at first, but can lead to cirrhosis or liver failure if ignored.
There are three main forms: autoimmune hepatitis, the most common, where immune cells destroy liver tissue; primary biliary cholangitis, a condition that slowly destroys the bile ducts inside the liver; and primary sclerosing cholangitis, which causes scarring and narrowing of the bile ducts both inside and outside the liver. These aren’t the same disease—they differ in who they affect, how they progress, and which drugs work best. Autoimmune hepatitis often shows up in younger women, while PSC is more common in men with inflammatory bowel disease. Each one needs a different approach.
Many people don’t realize how many medications can trigger or worsen liver inflammation. Drugs like statins, antibiotics, or even some herbal supplements can add stress to an already overworked liver. That’s why tracking what you take, knowing your allergy history, and understanding drug interactions matters more than ever. If you’re on long-term meds and feel unusually tired, notice yellowing skin, or have dark urine, it’s not just ‘getting older’—it could be your liver sending a signal.
Treatment isn’t one-size-fits-all. Steroids like prednisone are often the first line, but they come with side effects—bone loss, weight gain, mood swings. Newer immunosuppressants like azathioprine or mycophenolate help reduce steroid doses. For some, biologic therapies used in Crohn’s disease are being tested to calm liver inflammation without wiping out the whole immune system. And while there’s no cure, early diagnosis and consistent care can stop progression and let people live normal, active lives.
You’ll find posts here that dig into how medications affect liver function, how to track side effects before they become serious, and how to talk to your doctor about liver tests and treatment options. We cover what to do when a generic switch changes how you feel, how to document allergies properly to avoid dangerous mix-ups, and why some drugs cause liver damage while others protect it. Whether you’re newly diagnosed, managing long-term treatment, or just worried about your liver health, this collection gives you clear, practical info—not theory, not fluff, just what works.
Autoimmune overlap syndromes like AIH-PBC occur when the immune system attacks the liver in multiple ways at once. Learn how PBC, PSC, and AIH combine, why diagnosis is tricky, and what treatments actually work.
