odevixibat sesquihydrate at a glance
Medicine class
Ileal bile acid transporter inhibitor
Licensed uses
Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis; cholestatic itching in Alagille syndrome
Route
Oral hard capsules that may be swallowed or opened
Food
May be taken with or without food
What is odevixibat sesquihydrate used for?
Licensed uses include:
Treatment of progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis in patients aged 6 months or older.
Treatment of cholestatic itching associated with Alagille syndrome in patients aged 6 months or older.
How does odevixibat sesquihydrate work?
Odevixibat reversibly blocks the ileal bile acid transporter in the lower small intestine. This reduces bile-acid reabsorption, increases its removal through the bowel and lowers circulating bile acids, helping reduce cholestatic itching.
odevixibat sesquihydrate preparations and strengths
Capsule
Route: Oral
Strengths: 200 micrograms, 400 micrograms, 600 micrograms, 1200 micrograms
How to take odevixibat sesquihydrate
Use the capsule combination prescribed by the specialist. Capsules may be swallowed whole with water or opened so the pellets can be given with suitable food or liquid.
For food administration, mix all pellets into a small amount of soft food at or below room temperature, take immediately and do not store the mixture.
For liquid administration, follow the supplied oral-syringe instructions carefully; the pellets become wet but do not dissolve.
Ensure the full contents are taken and discard empty capsule shells.
odevixibat sesquihydrate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Diarrhoea or loose stools
- Abdominal pain
- Vomiting
- Raised bilirubin or liver enzymes
- Vitamin D or vitamin E deficiency
- Enlarged liver
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe diarrhoea causing dehydration
- Bloody diarrhoea
odevixibat sesquihydrate in pregnancy
There are limited human pregnancy data, and animal studies found reproductive toxicity. Odevixibat is not recommended during pregnancy. Anyone who is pregnant, planning pregnancy or could become pregnant should discuss treatment and contraception with the specialist; absorption of lipophilic oral contraceptives may be reduced, so barrier contraception is advised.
odevixibat sesquihydrate while breastfeeding
It is unknown whether odevixibat enters human milk, and risk to a breastfed child cannot be excluded. The specialist should weigh the benefit of breastfeeding against the need for treatment when deciding whether breastfeeding or odevixibat should be avoided.
odevixibat sesquihydrate interactions
Tell the specialist or pharmacist about all prescribed, over-the-counter and complementary products. Relevant considerations include:
Lipophilic oral contraceptives
Their absorption may be reduced; barrier contraception is recommended.
Other fat-soluble medicines
Odevixibat may reduce absorption, so clinical effect or monitoring requirements should be reviewed.
Vitamins A, D and E
Reduced absorption or declining levels can occur, requiring laboratory monitoring and specialist-managed supplementation.
Common questions about odevixibat sesquihydrate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is odevixibat sesquihydrate used for?
It is licensed for progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis and cholestatic itching associated with Alagille syndrome in patients aged 6 months or older.
How does odevixibat sesquihydrate reduce itching?
It reduces bile-acid reabsorption from the lower intestine, increasing removal in stools and reducing circulating bile acids that contribute to cholestatic itching.
Can odevixibat sesquihydrate capsules be opened?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.