Drug
Obeticholic Acid
Pronounced
"oh-BET-i-KOE-lik AS-id"
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.
Warning
Although this medication is used to treat a certain liver disease, it has caused serious (even fatal) worsening of liver function. Before starting treatment with this medication, your doctor should order lab tests to see if you have severe liver disease. This medication should not be used by people with certain types of liver disease. Consult your doctor for more details. Your doctor should also order lab tests and watch for symptoms of worsening liver function during treatment (see also Side Effects section). Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking this medication.
How to Use This Medication
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.