Ursodeoxycholic acid in pregnancy?

J Hepatol. 2019 Dec;71(6):1237-1245. doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2019.08.020. Epub 2019 Aug 31.

Abstract

The case of a 34-year-old woman with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) before, during and after pregnancy is described. The use of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) during and after pregnancy is discussed. UDCA has not been approved by the drug regulatory authorities as a pregnancy-safe drug; therefore, the reluctance of clinicians to prescribe UDCA during pregnancy is understandable. This Grand Round aims to provide a detailed analysis of the current evidence, safety data and clinical experience with UDCA (and alternative drugs) during pregnancy and lactation. Based on this analysis, advice for clinicians regarding the use of UDCA during pregnancy and lactation is given.

Keywords: Lactation; PBC; PSC; Primary biliary cholangitis; Primary sclerosing cholangitis; Stillbirth; UDCA.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Breast Feeding / methods
  • Cholagogues and Choleretics / administration & dosage
  • Cholagogues and Choleretics / adverse effects
  • Cholagogues and Choleretics / pharmacokinetics
  • Clinical Decision-Making
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary / blood
  • Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary / diagnosis
  • Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary / drug therapy*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / drug therapy*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Ursodeoxycholic Acid* / administration & dosage
  • Ursodeoxycholic Acid* / adverse effects
  • Ursodeoxycholic Acid* / pharmacokinetics

Substances

  • Cholagogues and Choleretics
  • Ursodeoxycholic Acid