Ocaliva

Ocaliva is used to treat adults with a liver disease known as primary biliary cholangitis. Primary biliary cholangitis is an autoimmune condition in which there is gradual destruction of the small bile ducts in the liver. These ducts transport fluid called bile from the liver to the intestines, where it is used to help digest fats. As a result of the damage to the ducts, bile builds up in the liver causing damage to the liver tissue. This may lead to scarring and liver failure, and may increase the risk of liver cancer. Ocaliva contains the active substance obeticholic acid. It is used together with another medicine, ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), in patients who do not respond sufficiently to UDCA alone, and on its own in patients who cannot take UDCA. Primary biliary cholangitis is rare, and Ocaliva was designated an ‘orphan medicine’ (a medicine used in rare diseases) on 27 July 2010.