Lowering ALP
A lower ALP level may mean a lower risk of liver damage.
People with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) have elevated levels of alkaline phosphatase, also known as ALP or alk phos in their blood. Since an ALP level above normal could mean an increased risk of liver damage, lowering that number is an important goal of treatment—and a sign that treatment is working.a Most people with PBC first take ursodeoxycholic acid, also known as UDCA or urso, to lower their ALP. But some people don’t respond well to UDCA, and their ALP levels remain too high, even if they’re not as high as they were before. If you’re treating your PBC, your healthcare team will regularly monitor your ALP level to see how well your treatment is working. If your ALP is still higher than it should be, you may need to do more to lower your risk of liver damage.
OCALIVA, when added to UDCA, may help lower your ALP more than UDCA alone.
In studies where people took OCALIVA® (obeticholic acid) in combination with UDCA, or as monotherapy in patients intolerant to UDCA, almost half had a significant response to treatment. Some people saw a reduction in their ALP levels as early as 2 weeks after starting OCALIVA.
Here’s what researchers found in those taking OCALIVA:
- ALP levels less than 1.67 times the upper limit of normal
- ALP levels decreased by at least 15%
- Bilirubin levels within the normal range
Nearly 40% of those who took OCALIVA by itself also saw significant improvement in their ALP.b
aMany markers of liver health such as ALP have a range of values that are considered normal. The top of that range is called the upper limit of normal.
bFrom a pooled analysis of data from the pivotal POISE study and from a randomized, double‑blind, placebo‑controlled, 3‑month trial.
“My blood work is on spreadsheets and graphs that I take with me to every appointment.” – Tina, a person living with PBC
Watch and Learn
Hear about the progression of PBC and its treatment from a PBC patient and her healthcare team.
I’m on treatment—why are my ALP numbers still high?
If you’re taking PBC medicine and still not seeing the progress you’ve been looking for, ask your doctor if there’s more you can do.
Keep up with the latest developments in PBC
Get PBC-related news and information, plus tools, tips, and other materials that can make living with PBC just a little bit easier.