title: Drug and treatment efficacy of chenodeoxycholic acid in 97 patients with cholelithiasis and increased surgical risk.
abstract: Patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis who represent higher than normal surgical risks may be the most suitable candidates for medical dissolution of gallstones. Chenodeoxycholic acid was given to 97 patients in a dosage of 15 mg/kg of body weight per day for a period of two years. Complete gallstone dissolution occurred in 27 of 97 patients (28%). If dropouts are excluded then the success rate is 27 of 64 patients (42%). Diarrhea was a common but manageable side effect for most. Thirty-two percent of patients developed chemical liver test abnormality; however, in only 13% was the degree of abnormality sufficient to require temporary (3%) or permanent (10%) cessation of therapy. Although better chemotherapeutic agents are needed, chenodeoxycholic acid is a reasonable choice for patients with non-calcified cholelithiasis in a functioning gallbladder if the patient is a heightened surgical risk. Because of the prolonged treatment period and the possibility of hepatotoxicity this treatment program requires a substantial commitment on the part of both the patient and the physician.
mesh_terms: D002635:Chenodeoxycholic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000139:chemically induced; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012306:Risk
chemical_list: D002635:Chenodeoxycholic Acid