Livacol 10mg Tablet

Uses:

• Treats primary biliary cholangitis in adults

How does Livacol 10mg Tablet work?

Livacol 10mg Tablet 10's helps improve liver functioning by reducing the production and build-up of bile in the liver, while also reducing inflammation, thereby effectively treating primary biliary cirrhosis.

Side Effects of Livacol 10mg Tablet

1. Stomach pain
2. Tiredness
3. Dizziness
4. Palpitations (irregular or fast heartbeat)
5. Constipation
6. Thyroid hormone irregularity

Quick Suggestions:

• Include foods such as bell peppers, citrus fruits, leafy vegetables, tomatoes, milk, fish, low-fat dairy, beans, nuts, lentils, tofu, and tempeh.
• Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet that includes fruits and vegetables.
• Avoid high-fat, trans-fat, and processed foods.
• White bread, white pasta, and sugars should be avoided.
• Avoid tobacco and alcohol consumption.
• Regular blood tests for monitoring liver functioning are advised.

Indication

Obeticholic Acid is a medication prescribed for the treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis. This condition, also known as primary biliary cholangitis, is characterized by the progressive destruction of the small bile ducts within the liver. The damage to these ducts results in impaired liver function and leads to the accumulation of bile in the liver, which can cause inflammation and liver damage. Obeticholic Acid works by reducing the production of bile in the liver and promoting the removal of bile from the liver, helping to manage the condition and slow down its progression. It is used in cases where other treatments, such as ursodeoxycholic acid, have not been effective or when patients are unable to tolerate those treatments. Always take Obeticholic Acid as prescribed by your healthcare provider and follow their recommendations for its use.

Pharmacology

Obeticholic acid activates the Farnesoid X receptor (FXR), which is a nuclear receptor found in the liver and gut. FXR plays a critical role in regulating various pathways related to bile acids, inflammation, fibrosis, and metabolism. By activating FXR, obeticholic acid helps in several ways:

It reduces bile acid concentrations within liver cells by decreasing the production of new cholesterol and increasing the transport of bile acids out of hepatocytes.

These actions result in a reduction of hepatic exposure to bile acids and limit the overall amount of bile acids circulating in the body.

Dosage & Administration of Livacol 10mg Tablet

The recommended dosage and administration of Obeticholic Acid are as follows:

Starting Dosage: The initial dose is 5 mg taken orally once daily. This is recommended for adult patients who have not achieved an adequate biochemical response to a suitable dosage of Ursodeoxycholic Acid (UDCA) for at least one year or are intolerant to UDCA.

Dosage Titration: If there is no adequate reduction in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and/or total bilirubin levels after three months of taking Obeticholic Acid at 5 mg once daily, and the patient is tolerating the medication, the dosage can be increased to 10 mg once daily.

Maximum Dosage: The maximum recommended dosage of Obeticholic Acid is 10 mg once daily.

Management of Patients with Intolerable Pruritus: For patients who experience intolerable itching (pruritus) while taking Obeticholic Acid, the following approaches can be considered:

• Adding an antihistamine or bile acid binding resin to the treatment regimen.
• Reducing the dosage of Obeticholic Acid to 5 mg every other day for those intolerant to 5 mg once daily, or 5 mg once daily for those intolerant to 10 mg once daily.
• Temporarily interrupting the dosing of Obeticholic Acid for up to two weeks, followed by restarting at a reduced dosage.

Swallow Livacol 10mg Tablet as a whole with a glass of water; do not chew or crush it.

Interaction

Livacol 10mg Tablet may interact with xanthines (theophylline), muscle relaxants (tizanidine), blood thinners (warfarin), and bile acid sequestrants (cholestyramine, colestipol, colesevelam).

Contraindications

• If you are allergic to obeticholic acid or any other ingredient of Livacol 10mg Tablet.
• If you have a complete blockage of the bile ducts in your liver or gallbladder.

Pregnancy & Lactation

Precautions & Warnings

Do not take Obstela 5 Tablet 10's if you are allergic to any of its contents or if you have a complete blockage of the biliary tract (liver, bile ducts, and gall bladder). Inform your doctor if you experience intolerable itching. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. This medication is not recommended for children or adolescents and may cause dizziness, so drive with caution. Consult a doctor immediately if you experience yellowing of the skin/eyes, black/tarry stools, dark urine, coughing up/vomiting blood, confusion, slurred speech, mood swings, anxiety, or swelling in and around the stomach.

Storage Conditions

Store in a cool and dry place away from sunlight.