The UDCA dosage deficit: a fate shared with CDCA.

Abstract

Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is used both as the treatment of choice in many cholestatic syndromes and as complementary therapy in many liver diseases. However, few dose-finding studies exist, and none has evaluated the efficacy and long-term safety of UDCA therapy in primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). There is an open debate about UDCA's impact on the natural history of PBC, and no universal evidence of benefits on the major endpoint exists. This is perhaps due to a UDCA dosage deficit. Most clinical trials on PBC therapy have used conservative dosages of UDCA similar to those of chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) used for dissolution of gallstones. It may be necessary to re-evaluate the dosage of UDCA that provides the most effective treatment.

• Authors: Enrico Roda, Stefania Liva, Francesco Ferrara, Francesco Azzaroli, Silvia Giovanelli, Giovanni Nigro, Davide Festi, Giuseppe Mazzella
• Journal: European journal of gastroenterology & hepatology (Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol) Vol. 14 Issue 3 Pg. 213-6 (Mar 2002) ISSN: 0954-691X [Print] England
• PMID: 11953683 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Chenodeoxycholic Acid
• Ursodeoxycholic Acid

Topics

• Chenodeoxycholic Acid (administration & dosage, pharmacokinetics, therapeutic use)
• Cholelithiasis (drug therapy)
• Cholestasis (drug therapy)
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Humans
• Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary (drug therapy)
• Ursodeoxycholic Acid (administration & dosage, pharmacokinetics, therapeutic use)