Effects of ursodeoxycholic acid on intrahepatic cholestasis.

Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) was administered to 16 intrahepatic cholestasis patients with severe jaundice, and its clinical effects were studied. As a result, it was remarkably effective in 6 patients, significantly effective in 5 patients, slightly effective in 2 patients and unchanged in 3 patients. As for the dose, when 600 mg/day was administered, it was effective in all patients, but even when only 150 mg/day was administered, it was effective in one patient (50%). Duration of treatment was 15 to 177 days with a mean of 55.3 days. These results suggested that while there is no adequate treatment for intrahepatic cholestasis with severe jaundice, UDCA should be considered as a possible method of treatment.