TUDCA

    Written by:
    Thomas Solomon

    Fact-checked

    by:

    Katie Jantz
    Last Updated: December 18, 2024

    TUDCA plays a role in maintaining cellular health. It is claimed to have neuroprotective effects and to improve liver health. However, the benefits of TUDCA in humans are unclear because there is a lack of robust evidence to support its clinical efficacy.

    58 references on this page
    479 participants in 9 trials

    Overview

    Dosage information

    Formulation:

    Tablets/Loose powder.

    Range of dosages studied:

    250 to 2,000 milligrams per day (mg/day).

    Effective Dosages:

    Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

    Adults: The effective dosage for improving ALS is unclear. Some benefits have been found with 1,000 mg taken by mouth twice a day for up to 18 months; however, not all clinical studies confirm this efficacy.[1][2][3][4] See Does TUDCA treat ALS? for more info.

    Primary biliary cholangitis

    Adults: The effective dosage for improving primary biliary cholangitis might be 500 to 1,500 mg/day by mouth for up to 6 months;[5][6][7] however, more clinical research is needed to confirm this effect.

    Insulin resistance

    Adults: The effective dosage for improving insulin resistance might be 1,750 mg/day by mouth for 4 weeks; however, only a single clinical study has examined the effect of TUDCA on insulin resistance.[8]

    Endothelial function

    Adults: The effective dosage for improving endothelial function might be a single 1,500 mg dose taken by mouth about 8 hours before the vascular function test; however, only one clinical study has examined this outcome.[9]

    Other Considerations:

    TUDCA has several potential drug interactions (e.g., with insulin analogs, insulin sensitizers, and bile acid sequestrants). For further details, see What are TUDCA’s main drawbacks?.

    Due to a lack of research, it is currently unclear whether TUDCA should be taken with or without food. That said, TUDCA is not typically taken with food in the studies that have tested its effects.

    Due to the lack of randomized controlled trials, dose-response studies, and meta-regression studies, the precise effective dosage for TUDCA is currently uncertain for all of the conditions that have been studied.

    Examine Database: TUDCA

    Frequently asked questions

    Update History

    Research Breakdown

    Examine Database References

    1. Liver Cell Content - Panella C, Ierardi E, De Marco MF, Barone M, Guglielmi FW, Polimeno L, Francavilla ADoes tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) treatment increase hepatocyte proliferation in patients with chronic liver diseaseItal J Gastroenterol.(1995 Jun)
    2. Liver Enzymes - Crosignani A, Budillon G, Cimino L, Del Vecchio Blanco C, Loguercio C, Ideo G, Raimondo G, Stabilini R, Podda MTauroursodeoxycholic acid for the treatment of HCV-related chronic hepatitis: a multicenter placebo-controlled studyHepatogastroenterology.(1998 Sep-Oct)
    3. Cholestasis - Invernizzi P, Setchell KD, Crosignani A, Battezzati PM, Larghi A, O'Connell NC, Podda MDifferences in the metabolism and disposition of ursodeoxycholic acid and of its taurine-conjugated species in patients with primary biliary cirrhosisHepatology.(1999 Feb)
    4. Liver Enzymes - Crosignani A, Battezzati PM, Setchell KD, Invernizzi P, Covini G, Zuin M, Podda MTauroursodeoxycholic acid for treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis. A dose-response study.Dig Dis Sci.(1996 Apr)
    5. Liver Enzymes - Larghi A, Crosignani A, Battezzati PM, De Valle G, Allocca M, Invernizzi P, Zuin M, Podda MUrsodeoxycholic and tauro-ursodeoxycholic acids for the treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis: a pilot crossover study.Aliment Pharmacol Ther.(1997 Apr)
    6. Liver Enzymes - Ma H, Zeng M, Han Y, Yan H, Tang H, Sheng J, Hu H, Cheng L, Xie Q, Zhu Y, Chen G, Gao Z, Xie W, Wang J, Wu S, Wang G, Miao X, Fu X, Duan L, Xu J, Wei L, Shi G, Chen C, Chen M, Ning Q, Yao C, Jia JA multicenter, randomized, double-blind trial comparing the efficacy and safety of TUDCA and UDCA in Chinese patients with primary biliary cholangitis.Medicine (Baltimore).(2016 Nov)
    7. ALS Symptoms - Elia AE, Lalli S, Monsurrò MR, Sagnelli A, Taiello AC, Reggiori B, La Bella V, Tedeschi G, Albanese ATauroursodeoxycholic acid in the treatment of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.Eur J Neurol.(2016 Jan)
    8. Endothelial Function - Walsh LK, Restaino RM, Neuringer M, Manrique C, Padilla JAdministration of tauroursodeoxycholic acid prevents endothelial dysfunction caused by an oral glucose load.Clin Sci (Lond).(2016 Nov 1)
    9. Insulin Resistance - Kars M, Yang L, Gregor MF, Mohammed BS, Pietka TA, Finck BN, Patterson BW, Horton JD, Mittendorfer B, Hotamisligil GS, Klein STauroursodeoxycholic Acid may improve liver and muscle but not adipose tissue insulin sensitivity in obese men and women.Diabetes.(2010 Aug)