A COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF EFFICACY OF OBETICHOLIC ACID VS. URSODEOXYCHOLIC ACID IN PATIENTS WITH ACUTE VIRAL HEPATITIS

Background: Acute viral hepatitis (AVH) is a major public health problem. There is no specific treatment to attenuate AVH. The potential for adding bile acid in the treatment of AVH is consistently increasing. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of obeticholic acid (OCA) in treating AVH patients and also to compare its efficacy with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). Methods: A prospective comparative observational study carried out at the Department of Gastroenterology of tertiary care hospital. A total of 38 patients were allowed to participate in the study and randomized into two study groups, Group I and II. Each group consists of 19 patients. Patients in group I treated with UDCA. Group II patients treated with OCA. Results: The most common symptoms observed in the two study groups were nausea /vomiting followed by loss of appetite and abdominal pain. Both Group I and II patients showed significant improvement in their symptoms after treatment. The mean of liver function test (LFT) parameters was compared before and after treatment. Group II patients showed more SGOT, SGPT, and prothrombin time reduction. The common ADR noted in both groups was fatigue followed by constipation. Conclusion: This study concludes that OCA-treated patients showed better efficacy when compared with UDCA-treated patients in the reduction of LFT parameters that prevent further progression and complications associated with AVH.