COMPARISON OF FIXED DOSES OF CHENODEOXYCHOLIC ACID FOR GALLSTONE DISSOLUTION

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  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 1  (8074) , 1111-1114
Abstract
Ninety-six patients with gallstones were treated for up to 4 yr with chenodeoxycholic acid in daily doses of 500, 750 or 1000 mg. None of the patients started on 500 mg daily showed complete gallstone dissolution. Of 41 patients on 750 mg daily, 8 had complete dissolution of their radiolucent gallbladder stones after 6 or more mo. and a further 4 showed partial dissolution. Of 28 patients on 1000 mg daily, 5 had complete dissolution of their radiolucent gallbladder stones after at least 6 mo., and a further 9 showed partial gallstone dissolution. The mean duration of therapy was greater on 750 mg than on 1000 mg/day (1.27 vs. 0.58 yr). When results were analyzed after the first 6 mo. therapy, the total response-rate was significantly greater for the 1000 mg dose (13 out of 28) than for the 750 mg dose (9 out of 41). The individual response of radiolucent gallbladder stones to therapy could not be predicted from stone size, weight of patient, dosage/kg or change in biliary lipids. Treatment of radiolucent gallstones with chenodeoxycholic acid should start at 1000 mg daily.