Obeticholic acid

Obeticholic acid is used in alone or in combination therapy to treat primary biliary cirrhosis. It helps improve the liver function by inhibiting the production of bile acid and increasing the removal of bile acid from the liver. This reduces the bile acid in the liver and hence prevents its toxic effects.

Obeticholic acid may be taken with or without food. You should take it regularly at evenly spaced intervals as per the schedule prescribed by your doctor. Taking it at the same time every day will help you to remember to take it. You should always complete the full course of the medicine as prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop taking it until you have finished.

The most common side effects of this medicine include itching, fatigue, abdominal pain, rash, throat pain, dizziness, constipation, joint pain, eczema, and thyroid disorders. If you experience any of these side effects that does not resolve on its own or get worse, you should let your doctor.

Before taking the medicine, tell your doctor if you have any other medical conditions. You should also let your doctor know about all the other medicines you are taking (if any), as they may affect or be affected by this medicine. Consult your doctor before using this medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

• Treatment of Primary biliary cirrhosis

Treatment of Primary biliary cirrhosis
Primary biliary cholangitis is a type of liver disease that gradually gets worse over time. It does not always have symptoms but, over time, it can lead to liver failure. Obeticholic acid is used to treat this condition and may be used by itself or with other medicines. It can help prevent or delay liver damage in most people, especially if you start taking it in the early stages. Once you start this treatment, it is likely that you will be taking it for the rest of your life. To make the medicine more effective and for general health benefits, you can help yourself by stopping smoking, keeping a healthy weight, and not drinking too much alcohol.

Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them

Common side effects of Obetee

• Itching
• Fatigue
• Abdominal pain
• Rash
• Throat pain
• Dizziness
• Constipation
• Joint pain
• Eczema
• Thyroid disorders

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Obeticholic acid may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.

Obeticholic acid stimulates Farnesoid X receptor (FXR), a chemical that regulates synthesis and transport of bile acid, lipid metabolism and regulation of glucose levels. Obeticholic acid inhibits bile acid synthesis and increases bile acid secretions. This reduces the bile acid pool in the liver and hence prevents its toxic effects. Therefore, it helps to improve liver function.

• Obeticholic acid is used for the treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis.
• Your liver function will be monitored closely while on treatment with Obeticholic acid.
• Eat a well-balanced diet and indulge in some sort of physical activity daily in order to reduce fatigue and improve well-being.
• Itching is one of the common side effects of Obeticholic acid. Follow these tips to manage itching:
  a) Keeping cool will also tend to reduce itch, compared to being warm. Cool showers or cold flannels may be helpful.
  b)Dry skin can make the itch worse, so using liberal amounts of moisturizer is useful if you have dry skin.
  c) Do not scratch as scratching will generally make it worse. If scratching is irresistible it may help to rub the itchy area with an ice cube.

Obeticholic acid [FDA Label]. New York, NY: Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; 2016. [Accessed 30 Jun. 2020]. (online) Available from: