What is more effective for Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC), Seladelpar (Seladelpar) or Obeticholic acid (Ocaliva, also known as Elafibranor is not typically used for PBC, it is used for Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH))?

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Last updated: March 16, 2025View editorial policy

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From the Research

For patients with Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC), Obeticholic acid (Ocaliva) is the more effective option compared to Seladelpar, based on recent clinical evidence. The most recent and highest quality study 1 highlights Obeticholic acid (OCA) as the only approved second-line treatment for PBC, effective for non-responders to UDCA therapy or patients who have not tolerated UDCA therapy. Key points to consider include:

  • OCA has proven to be effective in improving surrogate markers of prognosis in PBC, as noted in 2 and 3.
  • Seladelpar, on the other hand, is mentioned in 4 as a prospective second-line therapy, but its efficacy and safety profile are not as well-established as OCA for PBC.
  • The treatment approach for PBC typically begins with UDCA, and when response is inadequate, second-line agents like OCA may be considered, as outlined in 1 and 5.
  • It's crucial to individualize treatment decisions based on patient characteristics, comorbidities, and treatment goals, with regular monitoring of liver function tests, as emphasized in 2 and 4. Some potential side effects and considerations for OCA include pruritus, which may be a limiting factor for its administration, as mentioned in 1 and 4. However, given the current evidence, OCA is the preferred choice over Seladelpar for the treatment of PBC, due to its established efficacy and safety profile.

References

Research

The treatment of primary biliary cholangitis: from shadow to light.

Therapeutic advances in gastroenterology, 2024

Research

Primary biliary cholangitis: treatment.

Current opinion in gastroenterology, 2021

Research

Current and promising therapy for primary biliary cholangitis.

Expert opinion on pharmacotherapy, 2019

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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