UDCA’s Efficacy in Improvement of Liver Functions of Chronic Hepatitis C Patients Acknowledged

Up to 900mg of UDCA can be administered to patients per day.

Ursodeoxycholic acid, the active ingredient of Ursa, was recently acknowledged for its efficacy in the improvement of liver functions of chronic hepatitis C patients by Japan’s Ministry of Health and Welfare.

With this, 600mg of UDCA can be administered to adults per day for the improvement of liver functions and up to 900mg is allowed in Japan.   

Since 2005, Daewoong Pharmaceutical Co. has conducted clinical trials and R&D activities regarding various diseases, including chronic hepatitis C. On the marketing front as well, the company has stepped up its efforts to create new markets as part of its plan to develop Ursa into a premium liver disease drug brand. 

So far, interferon was known to be the sole treatment for hepatitis C patients, but it produces low treatment response rates of 20-30%. Also, pegylated interferon used in combination with ribavirin produces treatment response rates of 50% or so. According to a report, UDCA is effective in improving deteriorated liver functions and a damaged bile duct of hepatitis C patients and UDCA alone is effective to hepatitis C patients showing no response to interferon or patients suffering a relapse of hepatitis C.

In addition, in case UDCA is administered along with interferon and ribavirin, treatment response rates and sustenance rates increase and relapse rates decrease. Only half amount of ribavirin can bring the same effect, so hemolytic anemia, one of ribavirin’s side effects, can be reduced.