ocaliva: I saw where the FDA issued a warning... - PBC Foundation

PBC Foundation

9,499 members8,410 posts

ocaliva

gwillistexas profile image
30 Replies

I saw where the FDA issued a warning on ocaliva 12/12, because of serious liver injuries in patients who do not have cirrhosis. This is scary considering that’s the only drug I’ve been able to take and been on it since 2017. Do I wait for my dr to reach out to me or do I go ahead and send a msg?

Written by
gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
30 Replies
DonnaBoll profile image
DonnaBollAdministrator

I would for sure send a message. You might even send him the link to the article you saw this info in. I'm not aware of this being discouraged for people not having cirrhosis. I'll see what I can find out.

gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas in reply toDonnaBoll

I will. Thank you. Just search fda warning on ocaliva. I happened to see it on my news app.

IAmTheGlue profile image
IAmTheGlue

send a message! The FDA pulled the approval on Ocaliva.

I was at the Mayo Clinic last week and they are switching me to one of the two new drugs. Mine will be the one beginning with E. I can’t remember the name off hand.

They told me to continue taking it until my new medication arrives, but I’ve always been a little fearful of it because of the black box warning.

I hope your doctor can get you one of the new meds. 🙏🏻

gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas in reply toIAmTheGlue

I’m approved for Livdelzi. Just waiting on the call to set it up.

IAmTheGlue profile image
IAmTheGlue in reply togwillistexas

I would image that will be your replacement then! 😊 People are having amazing results with these new meds. I’m sooooo hopeful. I have not seen anyone with the really negative effects.

DonnaBoll profile image
DonnaBollAdministrator in reply toIAmTheGlue

There have been very good results from the drug Seladelpar.

gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas in reply toDonnaBoll

I’m praying I have no issues with it.

DonnaBoll profile image
DonnaBollAdministrator in reply togwillistexas

Ocaliva or Seladelpar? just be sure to monitor your liver enzymes every 3-6 months. As always, report any new symptom or worsening symptom to your physician.

gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas in reply toDonnaBoll

Livdelzi (seladelpar)

DonnaBoll profile image
DonnaBollAdministrator in reply togwillistexas

several people I know have had wonderful results with it.....clinical trials have been very promising for sure. We have to be so thankful for all the researchers who continue to work in finding new drugs for us.

gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas in reply toDonnaBoll

Yes and I’ve read a lot about it and it is promising. I’m just praying I can tolerate the drug. It should be hrrr sometime today and I will start it tomorrow unless my dr says to be off ocaliva a couple days. I was also able to talk with their pharmacist. I had questions about taking my statin. He said there should be no interaction with the two. Not sure how it will affect my thyroid medication. He said levothyroxine is a very sensitive drug so we don’t know if my tsh may be affected with Livdelzi. I’m hopeful 😊

gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas in reply togwillistexas

Meant “here”

gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas in reply toDonnaBoll

Talk about fast action. My drug should be here tomorrow.

butterflyEi profile image
butterflyEi in reply togwillistexas

I hope it suits your system.

gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas in reply tobutterflyEi

Thank you. I’ve been praying hard that it will go well. Can’t go back on ocaliva.

Zillowgreen profile image
Zillowgreen in reply toDonnaBoll

Donna, my doctor wants me to go on Livdelzi but I was concerned about the reports of bone fractures in the study since I have osteoporosis. Have you heard any news about fractures with Livdelzi?

gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas in reply toZillowgreen

I also understand your concern about fractures. I have osteoporosis in my right femur neck. But at this point I feel I have no choice but to try Livdelzi. I for one font like being a no choice situation. Of course I could stay on ocaliva but it would be against my drs advice. Keep us posted.

OrangeTulip profile image
OrangeTulip

Hello. I would message your doctor, your concern is understandable, I would feel the same. When they withdrew Ocaliva in England earlier this year, it was because they thought it was not as effective…so your doc. will move you on to another medication. Unfortunately this is going to be a running theme when you have PBC, it’s such an unknown condition, but at leadt we have options!

gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas in reply toOrangeTulip

Yes, I’m just waiting on my call to get all set up on Livdelzi. I sent my hep a msg this morning so I’m waiting for his response. Are you doing ok on Iquirvo?

OrangeTulip profile image
OrangeTulip in reply togwillistexas

I will have bloodwork in January after six months on Iquirvo, I’m still unsure about the medication and the list of side effects…there is minimal information out there on the drug only what Ibsen has put out, so I’m a bit in the unknown. Good-luck and keep us updated.

gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas in reply toOrangeTulip

Thank you and you do the same.

Samanthaann profile image
Samanthaann

Thanks for posting about this.

gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas in reply toSamanthaann

You’re welcome

Turquoise2075 profile image
Turquoise2075

Thank you for sharing this info. I just found the FDA statement online. I have been on Ocaliva since June last year so it’s a bit concerning. My recent blood test showed my GGT is a bit high for the first time when that’s not normally elevated for me. I don’t know if that could be in any way related to Ocaliva. Raised GGT can be a sign of liver damage. Not sure what to do. My liver specialist is not particularly communicative or pro-active so I would have to try to get a response from him on it. I was a non-responder to Urso and was made very sick by Fenofibrate. But I still wonder if I should be on Urso. He took me off it when he put me on Ocaliva. I’m in Australia and our version of the FDA is the TGA - Therapeutic Goods Administration. I will look out for any statements that may come from them on it.

gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas in reply toTurquoise2075

I’ve been on only ocaliva since 2017. I was allergic to URSO and was immediately take off it. I’ve had very good luck with ocaliva until about a year ago. My ALP was increasing. I had my hepatologist check GGT and it was elevated. So he ordered another lab to see if it was from liver or bones. It was liver. All other labs have remained normal since I started ocaliva with the exception of a slightly elevated ast a couple of times. I never had a side effect with ocaliva so in a way I hate to let go of it. But he says it’s time. We tried Iqirvo a few months ago but I wasn’t able to take it and went back on ocaliva. So I’m living on a prayer that I can take Livdelzi with no problems. I’m sorry your dr doesn’t communicate well. I’m blessed with a very good hepatologist. FDA stated they sent notification to all drs do I hope your dr reaches out to you on this. Please let us hear. 🙏🏻

Turquoise2075 profile image
Turquoise2075 in reply togwillistexas

Thank you. I really hope the Livdelzi works well for you. I’ve never had any side effects either from Ocaliva as far as I’m aware. It helped me greatly with cognitive issues which had become debilitating for me but improved greatly after 3 weeks on Ocaliva. I read that it is thought to protect the blood-brain barrier. It might be one of those things that poses a risk to some people but not others, but it’s so hard to know with ourselves if we might be at any risk. My specialist is polite but just doesn’t engage on questions I ask. I’ll see if he reaches out but will soon contact the clinic if I don’t hear anything to confirm if I should stay on or stop Ocaliva. As I’m in Australia me may not get notification from the FDA, so it depends if the TGA here acts on it. All the very best 🙏

gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas in reply toTurquoise2075

Thank you. Stay In touch and let me know 😊

Turquoise2075 profile image
Turquoise2075 in reply togwillistexas

Thank you, yes, I will 😊

Cfay profile image
Cfay

My gastro shared the FDA warning about Ocaliva with me during my checkin last month and let me know it would be pulled off market within the next few months- the FDA hadn’t released the general public warning at that time. Oclaliva was added to my treatment when the drug was in Phase 3 of its trial and the URSODIOL wasn’t reducing my counts by itself; it had just been released for the general PBC population with required screening as long-term effects were still being monitored - hence having to report to the specialty pharmacy each time there was a refill request.

I’ve now been on a daily low dose of Livdelzi (still on URSODIOL 2x day)for a month and the itching is not as bad as previously. I live in Maryland (USA) and the new drip is not yet carried by the major pharmacies yet. I was contacted by Orsini Specialty Drugs and they are delivering the drug on a monthly basis. This company will only bill one insurance company (Medicare is my primary) and not my secondary (Cigna), but my co-pay is only $33/month at this point.

gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas in reply toCfay

Good morning and thank you. Orcini contacted me a couple weeks ago. I received my prescription yesterday, so I will start it today. I have Medicare and Cigna as well. Thanks again for reaching out. I will chat with you later😊

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

OCALIVA

Hello! Anyone is taking OCALIVA in addition to Ursodiol to lower ALP? Does it work? Do you have...
iagra profile image

Ocaliva

Not real sure why but my heptologist is wanting me to start taking 10mg Ocaliva on Mon- Wed-Fri....
Shulsey profile image

Ocaliva

Just started a new drug Ocaliva I take 5mg daily. This is a new drug for people that have PBC that...
Shirl5 profile image

Ocaliva

Hi I have been on Ocaliva for 3 weeks and was wondering if anyone felt that it had caused them any...
Jayne1863 profile image

ocaliva

Hi just wanted to ask if any one is taking ocaliva and already got cirrhosis of the liver i didnt...
cavi profile image

Moderation team

See all
PBCCheryll profile image
PBCCheryllAdministrator
janethomas profile image
janethomasModerator
Cupcake1971_ profile image
Cupcake1971_Moderator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.