Obeticholic Acid
Description
Obeticholic Acid is a medicine used to treat primary biliary cirrhosis (a condition that impairs your liver's ability to function properly and causes a build-up of a fluid called bile within the liver). This medicine works by decreasing the production of bile in the liver and promoting the removal of bile from your liver.
Obeticholic Acid may cause side effects like stomach ache, constipation, dizziness, tiredness, etc. These side effects usually resolve with time. Consult your doctor if these symptoms persist or worsen. Avoid taking this medicine if you are allergic to it.
Obeticholic Acid can be taken with or without food. Your doctor will recommend the appropriate dose and duration of treatment based on your clinical condition and therapeutic response. Do not stop taking this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Obeticholic Acid should be used with caution if you have liver problems. To avoid any interaction, inform your doctor if you are taking any other medicine before starting the treatment with Obeticholic Acid. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or are breastfeeding before taking this medicine.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Obeticholic Acid
- Stomach pain
- Constipation
- Dizziness
- Tiredness
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- Dry skin
- Swelling of hands and feet
- Fever
Uses of Obeticholic Acid
What is it prescribed for?
- Primary biliary cirrhosis
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe time Obeticholic Acid takes to show its action is not known.
- Duration of effectThe time duration for which Obeticholic Acid remains effective in the body is not known.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?Obeticholic Acid has no habit-forming tendency.
- Usage in pregnancy?Obeticholic Acid is not recommended for use during pregnancy unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with your doctor before taking this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?Obeticholic Acid is not recommended for use while breastfeeding unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with your doctor before taking this medicine.
Allergy
Avoid taking Obeticholic Acid if you are allergic to it. Seek medical attention if you experience symptoms such as skin rash, hives (painful eruptions that itch and sting), itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), breathing difficulty, etc.
Biliary tract disorder
Obeticholic Acid is not recommended for use if you have a biliary tract disorder such as a complete blockage of the biliary tract (the tube that carries the fluid called bile from your liver to the gallbladder and small intestine).
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Obeticholic Acid is not recommended for use during pregnancy unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with your doctor before taking this medicine.
Breast-feeding
Obeticholic Acid is not recommended for use while breastfeeding unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with your doctor before taking this medicine.
General warnings
Liver impairment
Obeticholic Acid should be used with caution if you have liver problems as it may cause further liver damage. Your doctor may suggest tests to monitor your liver function and bilirubin (a yellowish pigment that is made during the breakdown of red blood cells) levels during treatment with this medicine.
Use in children
Obeticholic Acid is not recommended for use in children below 18 years of age as the safety and efficacy data are not clinically established.
Missed Dose
Try not to miss the dose of Obeticholic Acid. Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed dose.
Overdose
Never take more than the dose prescribed by your doctor. If you suspect an overdose of Obeticholic Acid, contact your doctor immediately for further guidance.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Clozapine
Aminophylline
Ketoconazole
Disease interactions
Disease
Information not available.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Obeticholic Acid can be taken with or without food. Avoid taking more or less than the recommended dose. Do not stop taking the medication without talking to your doctor.
Your doctor may suggest tests to monitor your liver function and bilirubin levels periodically while you are taking this medicine.
Eat a healthy balanced diet low in fat and exercise regularly to prevent gallstone formation.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Obeticholic Acid works by decreasing the production of bile in the liver and promoting the removal of bile from your liver.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Farnesoid X receptor agonists
Schedule
Schedule H
Medicines.org.uk. 2022. [online] Available at: [Accessed 3 March 2022].
Drugs, H., 2022. Obeticholic Acid: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: [Accessed 3 March 2022].
Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2022. DailyMed - OCALIVA- obeticholic acid tablet, film coated. [online] Available at: [Accessed 3 March 2022].
Information on this page was last updated on 10 Oct 2022
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.