Deoxycholic Acid
Deoxycholic Acid Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Food Interaction and all others data.
Deoxycholic Acid is a naturally occurring bile acid used to treat different hepatobilliary disorders. The activity of Deoxycholic Acid is achieved through a decrease in secretion of cholesterol in bile. Deoxycholic Acid achieves this through a few mechanisms: it reduces cholesterol absorption, suppresses liver cholesterol synthesis and it does not inhibit bile acid synthesis.
Therefore, alters bile composition from supersaturated to unsaturated. Deoxycholic Acid also promotes the formation of liquid cholesterol crystal complexes which enhance removal of the cholesterol from the gallbladder into the intestine to be expelled. Deoxycholic Acid improves cholestatic liver diseases by-
Protecting cholangiocytes against cytotoxicity of hydrophobic bile acidsStimulating hepatobilliary secretionProtecting hepatocytes against bile acid-induced apoptosisDeoxycholic Acid is completely absorbed in the upper intestine. Time to peak serum concentration varies from 30 to 150 minutes. The rate of absorption ranges from 60-80%. After absorption Deoxycholic Acid enters the portal vein and undergoes extraction from portal blood by liver where it is conjugated with amino acid & that may be either glycine or taurine and then secreted into the hepatic bile ducts. Small quantities of Deoxycholic Acid appear in the circulation and very small amounts are excreted into urine. The biologic half life of Deoxycholic Acid ranges from 3.5-5.8 days.
Ursodiol (commonly known as ursodeoxycholic acid) is a product of metabolism of bacteria in the intestine. It is considered a secondary bile acid. The other type of bile acid, primary bile acids, are produced hepatically and subsequently stored in the gallbladder. When primary bile acids are secreted into the large intestine, they can be broken down into secondary bile acids by bacteria present in the intestine. Both types of bile acids assist in the metabolism of dietary fat. Ursodeoxycholic acid regulates cholesterol levels by slowing the rate at which the intestine is able to absorb cholesterol and also acts to break down micelles, which contain cholesterol. Because of this property, ursodeoxycholic acid is used to treat gall stones non-surgically.
| Trade Name | Deoxycholic Acid |
| Generic | Ursodeoxycholic Acid |
| Ursodeoxycholic Acid Other Names | Acide ursodesoxycholique, Acido ursodeossicolico, Acido ursodeoxicolico, Acidum ursodeoxycholicum, UDCA, Ursodeoxycholate, Ursodeoxycholic acid, Ursodiol |
| Weight | 10mg/ml, |
| Type | Subcutaneous Solution, Subcutaneous |
| Formula | C24H40O4 |
| Weight | Average: 392.572 Monoisotopic: 392.292659768 |
| Groups | Approved, Investigational |
| Therapeutic Class | Anti-gallstones drugs: Bile Acids |
| Manufacturer | |
| Available Country | United States |
| Last Updated: | September 19, 2023 at 7:00 am |
Uses
Deoxycholic Acid is used for the treatment of Cholestasis (Jaundice), Viral Hepatitis, Alcoholic Fatty Liver, Primary Billiary Cirrhosis (PBC), Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC), Dissolution of Gallstones and Non-Alcoholic Steato Hepatitis (NASH).
Ursodeoxycholic acid is used to reduce the cholesterol saturation of bile and to promote the dissolution of gallstones. The cholesterol saturation of bile is reduced by Ursodeoxycholic acid, allowing gradual solubilization of cholesterol gallstones. Cholesterol of secretion into bile is reduced and bile acid secretion rate is increased during Ursodeoxycholic acid treatment without a reduction in phospholipids.
Deoxycholic Acid is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Primary Biliary Cholangitis, Gallstone formation
How Deoxycholic Acid works
Ursodeoxycholic acid reduces elevated liver enzyme levels by facilitating bile flow through the liver and protecting liver cells. The main mechanism if anticholelithic. Although the exact process of ursodiol's anticholelithic action is not completely understood, it is thought that the drug is concentrated in bile and decreases biliary cholesterol by suppressing hepatic synthesis and secretion of cholesterol and by inhibiting its intestinal absorption. The reduced cholesterol saturation permits the gradual solubilization of cholesterol from gallstones, resulting in their eventual dissolution.
Dosage
Deoxycholic Acid dosage
Dissolution of Gall stones: 8-12 mg/kg/day either as single night time dose or in divided doses
PBC: 10-15 mg/kg/day in 2-4 divided doses
Acute Viral Hepatitis: 600 mg/day
Alcoholic Fatty Liver: 300 mg/day
PSC: 25-30 mg/kg/day
NASH: 13-15 mg/kg/day
Side Effects
Commonly reported side effects are nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, gallstone opacilication, pruritus.
Toxicity
Neither accidental nor intentional overdosing with ursodeoxycholic acid has been reported. Doses of ursodeoxycholic acid in the range of 16-20 mg/kg/day have been tolerated for 6-37 months without symptoms by 7 patients. The LD50 for ursodeoxycholic acid in rats is over 5000 mg/kg given over 7-10 days and over 7500 mg/kg for mice. The most likely manifestation of severe overdose with ursodeoxycholic acid would probably be diarrhea, which should be treated symptomatically.
Precaution
It should be used cautiously in those with liver disease.
Interaction
Deoxycholic Acid should not be used with drugs, such as oestrogenic hormones, that increase bile cholesterol. Concomitant administration with bile-acid binding drugs including antacids, charcoal and cholestyramine should be avoided, since this may reduce the effectiveness of therapy with Ursodeoxycholic acid.
Food Interaction
- Take with food.
Elimination Route
Only small quantities of ursodiol appear in the systemic circulation and very small amounts are excreted into urine. Eighty percent of lithocholic acid formed in the small bowel is excreted in the feces, but the 20% that is absorbed is sulfated at the 3-hydroxyl group in the liver to relatively insoluble lithocholyl conjugates which are excreted into bile and lost in feces.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding use
Pregnancy category B. No evidence of harm has been reported in pregnancy. It has been effectively used for the treatment of cholestasis of pregnancy during the last trimester without any side effects. Problems have not been documented in humans regarding breast feeding.
Contraindication
Non-functioning gall-bladder calcified and pigmented gallstones, inflammatory bowel disease.
Storage Condition
Store below 25° C. Protected from light and moisture. Keep the medicine out of the reach of children.
Innovators Monograph
You find simplified version here Deoxycholic Acid
FAQ
What is Deoxycholic Acid used for?
Deoxycholic Acid usued to prevents the synthesis and absorption of cholesterol and can lead to the dissolution of gallstones. It has a role as a human metabolite and a mouse metabolite.
How safe is Deoxycholic Acid?
Deoxycholic Acid appears to be a safe and effective alternative to surgery in selected patients with gallstones. Deoxycholic Acid use to safe if you are not allergic to it.
What are the common side effects Deoxycholic Acid ?
Common side effects of Deoxycholic Acid are include:
Stomach upset, nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, back pain, hair loss, or cough may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
What does Deoxycholic Acid do to my body?
Deoxycholic Acid works by reducing the amount of cholesterol released by your liver and by slowly dispersing the cholesterol.
How long should Deoxycholic Acid be taken?
For the first 3 months of treatment Deoxycholic Acid should be taken divided over the day. The use of Deoxycholic Acid capsules in PBC may be continued indefinitely.
Is Deoxycholic Acid safe during pregnancy?
Deoxycholic Acid is effective and safe in patients with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy of early onset, attenuating pruritus and correcting some biochemical abnormalities in the mothers.
Is Deoxycholic Acid safe during breastfeeding?
Because of the low levels of Deoxycholic Acid in breastmilk, amounts ingested by the infant are small and are not expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants.No special precautions are required.
Can I drink alcohol with Deoxycholic Acid?
Avoid alcoholic drinks when taking Deoxycholic Acid. Alcohol may change how the drug is released in your body. This may cause more side effects or cause the drug to become less effective
When is the best time to take Deoxycholic Acid?
Deoxycholic Acid is usually taken once daily at bedtime. Sometimes your doctor may suggest you take two doses each day, in which case, take your last dose of the day at bedtime. If you are taking Deoxycholic Acid for primary biliary cholangitis, it is likely that you will be asked to take 2-4 doses daily.
How long does it take for Deoxycholic Acid to work?
Deoxycholic Acid take for up to two years for the treatment of gallstones. Once the gallstones have dissolved, your doctor may continue your treatment for three to four months to ensure that they have completely cleared up.
Does Deoxycholic Acid cause weight gain?
People gain an average of 2.3kg during the first year of taking Deoxycholic Acid, although there's not usually any more weight gain after this.
Can Deoxycholic Acid cause kidney problems?
Deoxycholic Acid may reduces albuminuria and prevent progression of kidney damage.
When should I take Deoxycholic Acid?
It is best to take Deoxycholic Acid with meals, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Take this medicine for the full time of treatment, even if you begin to feel better.
Is Deoxycholic Acid a steroid?
Deoxycholic Acid is a steroid bile acid approved for primary biliary cirrhosis.
Will Deoxycholic Acid affect my fertility ?
Deoxycholic Acid could help achieve conception in infertile women with primary biliary cirrhosis.
Will Deoxycholic Acid affect my contraception?
Deoxycholic Acid does not affect ethinylestradiol bioavailability in women taking oral contraceptives.
What are the indications of Deoxycholic Acid?
Deoxycholic Acid is indicated in the treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and for the dissolution of radiolucent gallstones in patients with a functioning gall bladder.
Where does Deoxycholic Acid come from?
Produced in humans and most other species from metabolism by intestinal bacteria.
Who should not take Deoxycholic Acid?
You should not use if you are allergic to it or have an obstruction in your liver or gallbladder.
What happens if I stop taking Deoxycholic Acid?
If you stop taking Deoxycholic Acid too soon, the gallstones may not dissolve as fast or may not dissolve at all. It is thought that body weight and the kind of diet the patient follows may affect how fast the stones dissolve and whether new stones will form.
