Do you have a liver disease called Primary Biliary Cholangitis ( PBC )? Or does someone you know have this condition? Simply put, this is when the bile ducts in our liver are damaged and bile accumulates in the body. This can sometimes be asymptomatic, or symptoms such as extreme fatigue and itching may occur. Over time, this condition can become serious. So today we are talking about the newly introduced drug called Iqirvo (elafibranor) to treat this disease.
What is Iqirvo? How does it work?
Iqirvo is a drug that helps treat primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). It works by reducing the amount of bile that builds up in your body. Do you know how it does that? This drug signals your body to stop producing bile. That is, it controls the production of bile acids .
Iqirvo is usually given with another medicine. That medicine is ursodeoxycholic acid. Your doctor may have given you this medicine.
How has this medicine been researched?
Like any new drug, Iqirvo has been studied extensively before being given to humans. The study involved 161 people with PBC.
- Two groups: These people were divided into two groups. One group was given a daily dose of Iqirvo 80 mg. The other group was given a placebo pill.
- What is a placebo?: It is an empty pill that does not contain any active medicine and looks like a medicine. It is given to measure the true effect of the medicine.
- Time: Treatment was given in this way for at least a year. Then, those who wanted to were given the opportunity to remain in the research for another year.
The researchers mainly looked at liver laboratory values in the blood to see if the drug was working. For example, they looked at whether alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin levels improved. They also measured how itchy the patients were using a scale called the Worst Itch Numeric Rating Scale (WI-NRS) at 24 and 52 weeks.
What are the results of the research?
At the end of the research, I discovered some very important things.
Of those who took Iqirvo, 51% (that's more than half) showed significant improvement in liver-related blood test results.
However, only 4% of those who took the placebo showed this kind of improvement. This clearly shows that Iqirvo has an active effect.
Regarding itching, although those who took Iqirvo experienced some relief, it was largely similar to the relief experienced by those who took the placebo. Therefore, it is still difficult to say exactly what the effect on itching is.
Most importantly: Remember, these are research results. Your results may be different. That's why everything should be discussed with your doctor.
Who should not take Iqirvo?
This medicine is not suitable for everyone. If you have any of the following conditions, you should not take Iqirvo. Be sure to talk to your doctor about this.
| Status | Description |
|---|---|
| Serious liver disease | If you have severe liver disease, especially decompensated cirrhosis. |
| Gallbladder obstruction | If you have a biliary obstruction in your liver. |
| Pregnancy | If you are pregnant or hoping to become pregnant. |
| Breastfeeding | If you are a mother who is breastfeeding your child. |
Side effects and how to manage them?
Like any medicine, Iqirvo can cause side effects in some people.
Bone Fractures
Although this is uncommon, in studies, some people who took Iqirvo have had bone fractures. Tell your doctor if you have had a bone fracture before or if you are at risk for a bone fracture (such as osteoporosis ). These things can help keep your bones strong:
- Eat foods rich in calcium: things like yogurt, tofu, salmon. If necessary, take calcium tablets as directed by your doctor.
- Get Vitamin D : Vitamin D is obtained from foods like oily fish, eggs , and sunlight.
- Exercise regularly: This strengthens muscles and reduces the risk of falls.
- Avoid smoking.
- Control sugar and alcohol.
Other common side effects
Below are some of the side effects that most people experience and simple things you can do about them. But if these persist , be sure to see your doctor .
| Side effect | Things you can do |
|---|---|
| Nausea and vomiting | Drink fluids like ginger ale or water. Bland foods like crackers and toast can help. |
| Constipation | Drink plenty of water. Eat more fruits, vegetables, and fiber. Probiotics like yogurt and kefir are good. |
| Heartburn | Avoid things that increase inflammation, such as chocolate, fatty foods, coffee, and alcohol. Eat small meals rather than eating a lot at once. You can ask your doctor about taking antacids. |
| Dry mouth | Chew sugar-free gum or candy. Drink plenty of water. Try to breathe through your nose instead of your mouth. |
Can Iqirvo interact with other medications? (Drug Interactions)
Yes, this is a very important point. Iqirvo can interact with some other medications you are taking. This may reduce the effectiveness of the medication or increase the side effects.
| Type of medicine | Possible effects and advice |
|---|---|
| Birth control pills/methods | Taking Iqirvo may reduce the effectiveness of hormonal birth control methods (pills, patches). Therefore, it is important to use another form of birth control, such as condoms, in addition. |
| Statins, a type of cholesterol-lowering drug | Taking these two medications together may increase the risk of muscle pain or damage. If you experience such pain, tell your doctor immediately. |
| Bile acid sequestrants | These are also medications for cholesterol. These can stop the body from absorbing Iqirvo. Therefore, this medication should be taken 4 hours before or after taking Iqirvo. |
| Rifampin | This is an antibiotic used to treat tuberculosis. It can reduce the amount of Iqirvo in your body. If you are taking both of these medications, your doctor will do blood tests. |
Therefore, it is extremely important to tell your doctor about every medication you take, even a vitamin or an Ayurvedic medicine.
Take-Home Message
- Iqirvo is a new drug used to treat primary biliary cholangitis (PBC).
- This mainly works by reducing the body's production of bile and controlling damage to the liver.
- Research has shown that this is very effective in improving liver-related blood test results.
- This is not suitable for pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and those with severe liver disease.
- It is essential to inform your doctor about other medications you are taking, as some medications may interact with Iqirvo.
- Talk openly with your doctor about any side effects or concerns.
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