Suggest remedy for itchiness due to high bilirubin levels
Patient: Hello,I was on INH therapy to prevent TB, three weeks ago I had upset stomach, skin itchy, acid reflux, nausea. Almost two weeks ago I was diagnosed with jaundice. My liver enzymes initially were between 2,000-3,000. Now they are less than 1000. My Bilirubin level stayed at 12.5 for the first week and now it is at 12. My doctor ruled out Hepatitis A,B,C, autoimmune disorders and my INR has been normal. My question is how long will it take for the bilirubin levels to decrease more, this itchiness thing is driving me nuts! I can live with yellow eyes and skin but 50mg of Benadryl at night is not working. Doctor: Hello! Thanks for putting your query in HCM. I am a Gastroenterologist (DM). presence of itching with jaundice is either obstructive jaundice or sometimes in cholestatic jaundice. So I will suggest you to get an ultrasound abdomen also to see for any obstruction of the billiary tract. In present scenario it may be due to isoniazid induced. So stop it. It may take around 4 weeks for bilirubin to be normalised. For itching I will suggest you you take tablet ursocol 300mg thric a day and tablet avil twice a dayI hope I have answered your query and this will help you. If you have any further query  I will be happy to answer that too. Remain in touch and get-well soon.