Liver: the gut is a key target of therapy in hepatic encephalopathy

Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2015 Jan;12(1):7-8. doi: 10.1038/nrgastro.2014.185. Epub 2014 Oct 28.

Abstract

Little progress has been made in the pharmacological management of patients with hepatic encephalopathy, partly because it is difficult to perform clinical trials in this group of patients. A new clinical trial now suggests that polyethylene glycol is more effective than the current standard first-line therapy in these patients.

MeSH terms

  • Gastrointestinal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Hepatic Encephalopathy / drug therapy*
  • Hepatic Encephalopathy / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Intestines / drug effects
  • Intestines / physiopathology
  • Lactulose / pharmacology
  • Lactulose / therapeutic use
  • Polyethylene Glycols / pharmacology
  • Polyethylene Glycols / therapeutic use*
  • Rifamycins / pharmacology
  • Rifamycins / therapeutic use
  • Rifaximin
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Gastrointestinal Agents
  • Rifamycins
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Lactulose
  • Rifaximin