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Medications for Primary Biliary Cholangitis

Other names: Biliary Cholangitis; Biliary Cirrhosis; PBC; Primary Biliary Cirrhosis

Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC), which was previously known as Primary Biliary Cirrhosis, is a chronic liver disease that originates in the small bile ducts.

PBC is thought to be autoimmune disease which means the body’s immune system has become overactive towards the normal bile duct cells and starts to attack them. This causes inflammation, scarring and eventually blockage of the bile duct that results in bile build up and damage to the surrounding liver tissue. This is a slow, progressive disease that over many years progresses from inflammation of the bile ducts, to liver scarring and fibrosis, and in later stages cirrhosis of the liver.  Early diagnosis and treatment of PBC can slow the advancement of the disease.

PBC is an autoimmune disease that is most likely due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors.  PBC is NOT contagious and it is NOT related to alcohol or drug use.

Drugs used to treat Primary Biliary Cholangitis

The following list of medications are in some way related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

Filter
Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
Urso Forte 10 1 review for Urso Forte to treat Primary Biliary Cholangitis
Rx B N
Generic name:
ursodiol systemic
Drug class:
gallstone solubilizing agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
ursodiol 9.3 17 reviews for ursodiol to treat Primary Biliary Cholangitis
Rx B N
Generic name:
ursodiol systemic
Brand names:
Actigall, Urso, Urso Forte, Reltone
Drug class:
gallstone solubilizing agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Urso 10 3 reviews for Urso to treat Primary Biliary Cholangitis
Rx B N
Generic name:
ursodiol systemic
Drug class:
gallstone solubilizing agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Reltone Rate Add review
Rx B N
Generic name:
ursodiol systemic
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Ocaliva 7.0 2 reviews for Ocaliva to treat Primary Biliary Cholangitis
Rx N
Generic name:
obeticholic acid systemic
Drug class:
miscellaneous GI agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
obeticholic acid 7.0 2 reviews for obeticholic acid to treat Primary Biliary Cholangitis
Rx N
Generic name:
obeticholic acid systemic
Brand name:
Ocaliva
Drug class:
miscellaneous GI agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph
colchicine Off-label Rate Add review
Rx C N
Generic name:
colchicine systemic
Drug class:
antigout agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
azathioprine Off-label Rate Add review
Rx D N
Generic name:
azathioprine systemic
Drug class:
antirheumatics, other immunosuppressants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
Actigall Rate Add review
Rx B N
Generic name:
ursodiol systemic
Drug class:
gallstone solubilizing agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information

Frequently asked questions

Learn more about Primary Biliary Cholangitis

Care guides

Legend

Rating For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).
Activity Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list.
Rx Prescription only.
OTC Over-the-counter.
Rx/OTC Prescription or Over-the-counter.
Off-label This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
EUA An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.
Expanded Access Expanded Access is a potential pathway for a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition to gain access to an investigational medical product (drug, biologic, or medical device) for treatment outside of clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available.
Pregnancy Category
A Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
B Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
C Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
D There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
X Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
N FDA has not classified the drug.
Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule
M The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication.
U CSA Schedule is unknown.
N Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
1 Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
2 Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3 Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
4 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
5 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4.
Alcohol
X Interacts with Alcohol.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.