Abstract

Active chronic hepatitis is associated with many immunological abnormalities and corticosteroids have long been used in its treatment.¹ Clinical and biochemical improvement has been reported with mercaptopurine (Purinethol - BW), azathioprine (Imuran - BW) and chlorambucil (Leukeran -BW), but clinical trials of these drugs have been poorly controlled. The disease can fluctuate so unpredictably that any less stringent enquiry than a prospective randomised trial is almost useless.