Obeticholic acid is a farnesoid-X receptor (FXR) agonist and is used to treat a number of liver diseases. [A18696] Obeticholic acid has been granted accelerated approval to treat primary biliary cholangitis in combination with ursodeoxycholic acid. [A18696] Approval is limited to monotherapy in patient's who are intolerant to ursodeoxycholic acid, or in combination with ursodeoxycholic acid in adults who have not responded adequately to ursodeoxyholic acid alone. [A18696] Obeticholic acid given orally, binds to the farnesoid X receptor (FXR), a receptor found in the nucleus of cells in the liver and intestine. FXR is a key regulator of bile acid metabolic pathways. Obeticholic acid increases bile flow from the liver and suppresses bile acid production in the liver, thus reducing the exposure of the liver to toxic levels of bile acids.

Synonyms: 6alpha-Ethyl-chenodeoxycholic acid Obeticholic acid 6α-ethylchenodeoxycholic acid 6-ethylchenodeoxycholic acid 6-ECDCA 6-Ethyl-CDCA