UDCA (Ursodeoxycholic Acid)

Prescription medication with robust evidence for cholestatic liver disease. OTC supplementation blurs the line between supplement and drug.

A rough internal score reflecting quantity, quality, and consistency of human evidence. Not a clinical recommendation.

First-line therapy for primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) with strong RCT evidence. Also effective for gallstone dissolution and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. Hepatoprotective and anti-apoptotic mechanisms well characterized.

• First-line treatment for primary biliary cholangitis
• Dissolves cholesterol gallstones
• Cytoprotective for hepatocytes
• Reduces toxic bile acid accumulation

13–15 mg/kg daily for PBC. Lower doses (250–500 mg) sometimes used in supplement context. Medical supervision essential.

• Diarrhea
• Weight gain (rare)
• Pruritus initially

Prescription medication in most countries. Can cause gallstone calcification. Not for use with bile acid sequestrants.

Clinical evidence is as a pharmaceutical, not a supplement. OTC availability in some markets does not imply appropriateness for unsupervised use.

• Longevity55