Bile acids in the treatment of hepatobiliary diseases: rational use of UDCA

Czech version

Authors: Petra Halvová
Authors‘ workplace: Oddělení klinické farmacie, Nemocniční lékárna, FN Hradec Králové
Published in: Čes. slov. Farm., 2026; 75, 79-82
Category: Current Pharmacotherapy
doi: https://doi.org/10.36290/csf.2026.014

Overview

Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is a hydrophilic, non-toxic bile acid that represents the gold standard in the treatment of various cholestatic and hepatobiliary diseases. Its therapeutic benefit lies in its complex pleiotropic mechanism of action, including cytoprotection of hepatocytes and cholangiocytes, stimulation of hepatobiliary secretion, antiapoptotic effects, and immunomodulatory properties. This article comprehensively summarizes the pharmacological characteristics of UDCA and its rational clinical use in key indications such as primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), dissolution of cholesterol gallstones, reactive gastritis due to duodenogastric reflux, and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP). Furthermore, it focuses on the safety profile of UDCA, including its excellent tolerability, dose-dependent diarrhea, and confirmed safety for use during pregnancy and lactation, making it a crucial drug in hepatology.

Keywords:

Cholelithiasis – ursodeoxycholic acid – primary biliary cholangitis – primary sclerosing cholangitis – duodenogastric reflux – intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.

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