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Drug and treatment efficacy of chenodeoxycholic acid in 97 patients with cholelithiasis and increased surgical risk

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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.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Gastroenterology, Scott and White Clinic, 2401 South 31 Street, 76508, Temple, Texas

    Tim Tangedahl MD, William D. Carey MD., D. Roy Ferguson MD, Sarah Forsythe MS, Mary Williams RN, MS, Kathy Paradis & N. C. Hightower MD, PhD

  2. the Departments of Gastroenterology and Biostatistics, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio

    Tim Tangedahl MD, William D. Carey MD., D. Roy Ferguson MD, Sarah Forsythe MS, Mary Williams RN, MS, Kathy Paradis & N. C. Hightower MD, PhD

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  1. Tim Tangedahl MD
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  2. William D. Carey MD.
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  4. Sarah Forsythe MS
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  5. Mary Williams RN, MS
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  7. N. C. Hightower MD, PhD
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Tangedahl, T., Carey, W.D., Ferguson, D.R. et al. Drug and treatment efficacy of chenodeoxycholic acid in 97 patients with cholelithiasis and increased surgical risk. Digest Dis Sci 28, 545–551 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01308157

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01308157

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