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Obeticholic Acid

Pronounced

"oh-BET-i-KOE-lik AS-id"

Common brand names:

Ocaliva

Uses

This medication is used alone or in combination treatment for a certain liver disease (primary biliary cholangitis-PBC). This disease slowly destroys the bile ducts in the liver. When bile ducts are damaged, harmful substances can build up in bile and scar the liver. Obeticholic acid works by causing your liver to make less bile, and by helping bile flow out of the liver. Obeticholic acid may help slow worsening of primary biliary cholangitis and decrease symptoms such as tiredness, itchy skin, abdominal pain, and dry eyes and mouth.

How to Use This Medication

See also Warning section.

Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start taking obeticholic acid and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually once a day. The dosage is based on your medical condition, lab tests, and response to treatment. If you have side effects, your doctor may direct you to temporarily stop taking this medication, or to take it less often. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about your dosage instructions.

Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day.

If you also take certain other drugs to lower your cholesterol (bile acid-binding resins such as cholestyramine or colestipol), take obeticholic acid at least 4 hours before or at least 4 hours after taking these medications. These products can keep you from absorbing obeticholic acid fully.

Tell your doctor if your condition does not get better or if it gets worse.

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Drug information is selected from data included with permission and copyrighted by First DataBank, Inc. This is a summary and does not contain all possible information about this product. For complete information about this product or your specific health needs, ask your healthcare professional. Always seek the advice of your healthcare professional if you have any questions about this product or your medical condition. This information is not intended as individual medical advice and does not substitute for the knowledge and judgment of your healthcare professional. This information does not contain any assurances that this product is safe, effective or appropriate for you.

This information is intended only for residents of the United States. Products sold under the same brand names in other countries may contain different ingredients.

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Information expires December 2025.