Information for the public
Obeticholic acid (Ocaliva) is available on the NHS as a possible treatment for primary biliary cholangitis in adults:
- on its own, if ursodeoxycholic acid cannot be tolerated or
- with ursodeoxycholic acid, if ursodeoxycholic acid alone has not worked well enough.
Treatment with obeticholic acid should be stopped after 12 months if it is not working well enough.
Is this treatment right for me?
Your healthcare professionals should give you clear information, talk with you about your options and listen carefully to your views and concerns. Your family can be involved too, if you wish. NICE’s information on making decisions about your care may also help you decide whether you want the treatment.
Questions to think about
- How well does it work compared with other treatments?
- What are the risks or side effects? How likely are they?
- How will the treatment affect my day-to-day life?
- What happens if the treatment does not work?
- What happens if I do not want to have treatment? Are there other treatments available?
Information and support
NHS Choices may be a good place to find out more.
These organisations can give you advice and support:
- British Liver Trust, 0800 652 7330
- PBC Foundation, 0131 556 6811
- Liver4Life, 0800 074 3494
NICE is not responsible for the quality or accuracy of any information or advice provided by these organisations.
ISBN: 978-1-4731-2456-1
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