Seven patients with primary biliary cirrhosis were treated with rifamp
icine administered for 2 weeks in a daily dose 450-600 mg. Due to the
treatment the itch disappeared completely in 4 and decreased significa
ntly in 3 patients. As shown by the antipyrine test, half-life and cle
arance of antipyrine returned to normal suggesting cytochrome P-450 in
duction as a result of hydroxylation activity. There was a tendency to
lowering of bilirubine, cholesterol, alkaline phosphatase, asparagine
- and alanine aminotransferase against an increase in gamma-globuline
s. The differences were, however, insignificant. Rifampicine tolerance
was satisfactory.