Iqirvo vs. Livdelzi for Liver Disease: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

Iqirvo

(elafibranor)

Livdelzi

(seladelpar)

Summary for Iqirvo

Prescription only

Iqirvo (elafibranor) has an accelerated approval from the FDA for treating primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) in adults. It works as a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) agonist to help the body make less bile acid. But it’s not clear yet if the medication helps people with PBC live longer or helps the liver improve. Iqirvo (elafibranor) comes as an 80 mg tablet that's taken by mouth once per day. You can take Iqirvo (elafibranor) by itself or with ursodiol (Actigall). Side effects of Iqirvo (elafibranor) include weight gain, diarrhea, and stomach pain.

Indications for Iqirvo

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), a liver problem caused by damaged bile ducts

Pros and Cons for Iqirvo

Pros

Taken by mouth once per day
A good option if treatment with ursodiol (Actigall) isn't enough or if you can't take ursodiol (Actigall)
Helps improve levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), a liver enzyme that can be high with liver damage

Cons

Might cause muscle pain
Can raise the risk of bone fractures
Not known for sure if the medication helps people with PBC live longer or slow down liver damage

Common Side Effects for Iqirvo

Weight gain (23%)
Diarrhea (11%)
Stomach pain (11%)
Nausea (11%)
Vomiting (11%)
Joint pain (8%)
Constipation (8%)
Muscle pain (7%)
Broken bone (fracture, 6%)
Heartburn (6%)
Dry mouth (5%)
Weight loss (5%)
Rash (5%)

Warnings for Iqirvo

Muscle pain, weakness, and damage
Liver problems
Fractures
Risk of harm to a baby during pregnancy
Avoid in people with biliary obstruction

Summary for Livdelzi

Prescription only

Livdelzi (seladelpar) treats primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), a liver condition that happens when damaged bile ducts cause bile to build up. It’s a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-delta agonist that works to help the body make less bile acids. But it’s not clear yet whether it can slow liver damage in people with PBC. Livdelzi (seladelpar) is a tablet that’s taken once daily by mouth for adults. It’s taken either alone or with ursodiol (Actigall). Side effects of Livdelzi (seladelpar) include headache, dizziness, stomach pain, and bloating.

Indications for Livdelzi

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), a liver condition due to damaged bile ducts

Pros and Cons for Livdelzi

Pros

Taken once daily
Can help alleviate itching that’s associated with PBC
An option for people who haven’t responded well to other PBC treatments, like ursodiol (Actigall)

Cons

Can cause headache, dizziness, stomach pain, and bloating
Can increase the risk of bone fractures
Not recommended for people with advanced liver cirrhosis (with symptoms like ascites, variceal bleeding, and loss of brain function)