Does taking odexibat (Belvi) for three months lead to the risk of kidney failure?

Odevixibat is an oral small-molecule bile acid transporter (IBAT/ASBT) inhibitor, mainly used to treat progressive familial cholestatic liver disease (PFIC) and other diseases associated with bile acid accumulation. By inhibiting intestinal reabsorption of bile acids, odexibat can reduce bile acid levels in the blood, thereby relieving itching and improving liver function indicators. Its target of action is mainly focused on intestinal bile acid transport, and the direct effect of the drug on the kidneys is limited.

According to existing clinical research data, patients taking odexibat continuously for three months or longer did not show significant nephrotoxicity or acute renal failure events. Common adverse reactions mainly include diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, weight loss and mild fat-soluble vitamin deficiency. Renal function indicators usually fluctuate within the normal range. In clinical trials, changes in renal function are not considered to be directly related to odexibat, which is related to its drug metabolism and excretion pathways mainly relying on the liver and bile excretion mechanisms.

Although the risk of odexibat directly causing renal failure is low, the following conditions still need to be noted during clinical use:
1. When patients have abnormal renal function or are taking other nephrotoxic drugs, serum creatinine and glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) should be monitored regularly;
2. Long-term diarrhea or malabsorption of nutrients may indirectly affect water and electrolyte balance, thereby putting a certain amount of pressure on kidney function;
3. If obvious fatigue, decreased urine output, or edema occurs, seek medical treatment promptly and evaluate kidney function.
Generally speaking, taking odexibat for three months will usually not directly cause renal failure, and its safety is relatively reliable in terms of kidneys. However, for patients with impaired renal function or long-term use of other drugs that may affect the kidneys, it is still recommended to regularly monitor renal function indicators. Doctors can adjust dosage or treatment plans based on monitoring results to ensure that patients can enjoy the benefits of the drug while minimizing potential risks. Long-term management should be comprehensively assessed in conjunction with liver function, nutritional status, and overall health.
Reference link: https://www.drugs.com