Triamterene is used to treat fluid retention (edema) in people with congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, or a kidney condition called nephrotic syndrome.

"How significant it is only time will tell, but at least it will change physicians' attitude toward treating cirrhosis," Dr. Rojkind said.

One method is to decrease the portal vein pressure, especially useful in treating cirrhosis.

The plan would not have covered 122 treatments, including liver transplants to treat cirrhosis, ineffective care for both extreme low-birthweight babies and people in the final stages of AIDS.

Chlorothiazide treats fluid retention (edema) in people with congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, or kidney disorders, or edema caused by taking steroids or estrogen.

It is also envisaged that Hepaconda could be used to treat primary biliary cirrhosis and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.

Promising Liver Treatment A possible new way to treat cirrhosis of the liver has emerged from studies on mice using telomerase, which prolongs the life of human cells grown in the laboratory.

Spironolactone also treats fluid retention (edema) in people with congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, or a kidney disorder called nephrotic syndrome.

It is the only FDA approved drug to treat primary biliary cirrhosis.

Ursodiol is also used to treat primary biliary cirrhosis.