Obeticholic acid

(Ocaliva®)

Obeticholic acid

Drug updated on 10/30/2024

Dosage FormTablet (oral; 5 mg, 10 mg)
Drug ClassFarnesoid X receptor (FXR) agonists
Ongoing and
Completed Studies
ClinicalTrials.gov

Indication

  • Indicated for the treatment of adult patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) without cirrhosis or with compensated cirrhosis who do not have evidence of portal hypertension, either in combination with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) with an inadequate response to UDCA or as monotherapy in patients unable to tolerate UDCA.

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Summary
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  • This summary is based on the review of five systematic review(s)/meta-analysis(es). [1-5]
  • Effectiveness in NASH (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis) Treatment: Obeticholic acid (OCA) significantly improved fibrosis by ≥1 stage without worsening NASH, with dose-dependent effectiveness noted. At 10 mg, the odds ratio (OR) was 1.61 (95% CI (confidence interval): 1.03-2.51, p = 0.03), and at 25 mg, the OR was 2.23 (95% CI: 1.55-3.18, p < 0.001), showing increased efficacy at higher doses.
  • Effectiveness in PBC (Primary Biliary Cholangitis) Treatment: In primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), lower doses of OCA demonstrated greater effectiveness, with an OR of 7.66 (95% CI: 3.12-18.81, p < 0.001) at 5 mg and an OR of 5.18 (95% CI: 2-13.41, p = 0.001) at 10 mg. OCA treatment showed a 65% overall treatment response rate (95% CI: 56%-74%) in PBC patients, alongside significant reductions in total cholesterol and HDL levels.
  • Combination Therapy with UDCA in PBC: Combining OCA with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) was more effective than UDCA monotherapy, yielding superior clinical outcomes in patients with PBC who had an inadequate response to UDCA alone.
  • Pruritis and Gastrointestinal Effects: OCA increased the risk of pruritis by 75% (RR: 1.75, 95% CI: 1.43-2.15, p < 0.01), with higher risk at 25 mg doses (RR: 3.07, 95% CI: 1.74-5.41). It also increased constipation (RR: 1.88, 95% CI: 1.45-2.43, p < 0.01) and reduced the incidence of diarrhea (RR: 0.62, 95% CI: 0.50-0.77, p < 0.01).
  • Hyperlipidemia and Cardiovascular Events: OCA raised the risk of hyperlipidemia (RR: 2.69, 95% CI: 1.85-3.92, p < 0.01), though it did not significantly increase cardiovascular events. Higher doses (25 mg) resulted in more adverse events and discontinuations compared to the 10 mg dose.
  • There is no population type or subgroup information available in the reviewed studies.

Product Monograph / Prescribing Information

Document TitleYearSource
Ocaliva (obeticholic acid) Prescribing Information.2022Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Morristown, NJ

Systematic Reviews / Meta-Analyses

Clinical Practice Guidelines