In early July 2022, I learned from the American Association for the Study of Liver Disease (AASLD) that they’ll be updating their PSC Guidance to limit the use of oral vancomycin to clinical trials. Their Guidance will also state that treating IBD associated with PSC is outside their scope. If this AASLD Guidance passes, insurance […]
Oral Vancomycin Saves High School Football Star from Unnecessary Intestinal Surgery
Luke was in stage two liver fibrosis in high school. He couldn’t find remission from his ulcerative colitis and his gastroenterologist was planning an ERCP and colectomy surgery until he was placed on vancomycin for a C. diff infection. His symptoms immediately improved on vancomycin and, thankfully, his hepatologist was willing to prescribe the antibiotic. […]
Oral Vancomycin Allows PSC Patient to Live Out Her Dreams of Becoming an Animator
Right after Emily Kimes moved across the country to pursue her dream, she was diagnosed with PSC. Her mother, her biggest advocate, scoured the internet for information on PSC and came across the use of vancomycin. Emily and her mother fought hard to find a doctor willing to prescribe the drug. Once they found someone […]
Liquid Vancomycin is “Like a Miracle” for Teenage PSC Patient
At age 15 and in the second stage of liver fibrosis, Leonardo started taking the Firvanq brand of liquid vancomycin. He takes 500 mg twice a day and has experienced no vancomycin-related side effects. Not only did vancomycin lower all his liver enzymes to normal, but also helped him get into remission from his ulcerative […]
Student Athlete Returns to the Field Thanks to Vancomycin
Cynthia is the mother of a PSC patient, and she submitted her daughter’s astounding vancomycin story. Cynthia’s daughter (who’s name will remain anonymous for privacy reasons) started taking 2,250 mg of the ANI Pharmaceuticals brand at age 15. She was in stage one fibrosis at the time and also lives with ulcerative colitis. She began […]
Oral Vancomycin Lowered PSC Patient’s MELD Score and Increased Quality of Life
Trigger warning: thoughts of suicide. This post includes sensitive topics and some which may be triggering for readers. If you need support, someone to talk to, or are currently in distress, here are some helpful resources for you: The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or you can text “NAMI” to 741-741 to talk with […]