What is Ocaliva (obeticholic acid) for?
Buy Ocaliva (obeticholic acid). Obeticholic acid is for treating primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). It’s for adults who don’t get better with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) or can’t take it.
How does Ocaliva (obeticholic acid) work?
PBC damages the small bile ducts in the liver. This causes bile buildup, harming liver cells and leading to cirrhosis.
Obeticholic acid works by binding to the farnesoid X receptor (FXR) in liver cells. FXR controls bile acid pathways. It boosts bile flow and lowers bile acid production in the liver.
Is Ocaliva (obeticholic acid) approved?
Yes, it’s approved for PBC treatment by:
- FDA (USA) on May 27, 2016
- EMA (EU) on December 12, 2016
- Health Canada on May 24, 2017
- TGA (Australia) on September 21, 2018
How do I take Ocaliva (obeticholic acid)?
Start with 5 mg once daily. If needed, increase to 10 mg after 3 months if you’re doing well and not feeling sick.
Don’t take more than 10 mg a day. For managing side effects or liver issues, see the full instructions.
Warning: Taking the wrong dose can be very dangerous. The FDA warns of serious liver injury and death risks.
For full details on dosage, see the resources section. Always talk to your doctor about your specific needs.
Note: Consult your treating doctor for personalised dosing.
Are there any known adverse reactions or side effects of Ocaliva (obeticholic acid)?
Common adverse reactions
Common side effects include:
- pruritus
- fatigue
- abdominal pain and discomfort
- rash
- oropharyngeal pain (throat or ear pain)
- dizziness
- constipation
- arthralgia (joint pain)
- thyroid function abnormality
- eczema
Serious adverse reactions
More serious side effects include:
- hepatic decompensation and failure in incorrectly dosed PBC patients
with Child-Pugh Class B or C or decompensated cirrhosis - severe pruritus
- reduction in HDL-C (“good cholesterol”)
Use in a specific population
Patients with Child-Pugh-Class B and C need to adjust their dosage. This is also true for those who have had a decompensation event before.
Think about the benefits of breastfeeding. Also, consider the mother’s need for Ocaliva (obeticholic acid). And any possible harm it could cause to the baby.