Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA)

Date: September 2024, Version 4.0

Quick take

UDCA can be used in pregnancy if recommended by a specialist.

What is it?

UDCA (Cholurso®, Ursofalk®, Ursonorm®) is used to treat gallstones, primary biliary cirrhosis, and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP).

Benefits

What are the benefits of taking UDCA in pregnancy?

UDCA can help to treat some problems with the liver and gall bladder. During pregnancy, it might be offered to women who have been diagnosed with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP). For further information, see the Bump leaflet on ICP.

While UDCA might help to reduce skin itching from ICP, there is no strong evidence that it lowers the chance of other pregnancy complications that can be caused by ICP.

Risks

Are there any risks of taking UDCA during pregnancy?

UDCA is not known to harm a baby in the womb.

Women taking UDCA to treat ICP will usually start their medicine after the first trimester. Taking a medicine at this stage of pregnancy will not cause a birth defect as the baby is already fully developed.

Alternatives

Are there any alternatives to taking UDCA in pregnancy?

Possibly. Your specialist will advise whether UDCA is the right choice for you depending on your symptoms and blood test results. If UDCA is being offered to reduce itching from ICP, other methods can also be tried such as taking antihistamines or using skin creams. For further information, see the Bump leaflet on ICP.

No treatment

What if I prefer not to take medicines during pregnancy?

UDCA will only be recommended if your doctor thinks that you will benefit from its use. They will be happy to discuss the risks and benefits of using UDCA with you.

Will my baby need extra monitoring?

Women in the UK will be offered a very detailed scan at around 20 weeks of pregnancy as part of routine antenatal care. Taking UDCA in pregnancy would not normally require extra monitoring for birth defects. If you have ICP or another liver condition, you will be offered regular blood tests during pregnancy.

Are there any risks to my baby if the father has taken UDCA?

We do not expect any increased risk to your baby if the father takes UDCA.

Who can I talk to if I have questions?

If you have any questions regarding the information in this leaflet, please discuss them with your health care provider. They can access more detailed medical and scientific information from www.uktis.org.

How can I help to improve drug safety information for pregnant women in the future?

Our online reporting system (MyBump Portal) allows women who are currently pregnant to create a secure record of their pregnancy, collected through a series of questionnaires. You will be asked to enter information about your health, whether or not you take any medicines, your pregnancy outcome and your child's development. You can update your details at any time during pregnancy or afterwards. This information will help us better understand how medicines affect the health of pregnant women and their babies. Please visit the MyBump Portal to register.

General information
Sadly, miscarriage and birth defects can occur in any pregnancy.

Miscarriage occurs in about 1 in every 5 pregnancies, and 1 in every 40 babies are born with a birth defect. This is called the ‘background risk’ and happens whether medication is taken or not.

Most medicines cross the placenta and reach the baby. For many medications this is not a problem. However, some medicines can affect a baby’s growth and development.

If you take regular medication and are planning to conceive, you should discuss whether your medicine is safe to continue with your doctor/health care team before becoming pregnant. If you have an unplanned pregnancy while taking a medicine, you should tell your doctor as soon as possible.

If a new medicine is suggested for you during pregnancy, please make sure that the person prescribing it knows that you are pregnant. If you have any concerns about a medicine, you can check with your doctor, midwife or pharmacist.

Our Bumps information leaflets provide information about the effects of medicines in pregnancy so that you can decide, together with your healthcare provider, what is best for you and your baby.