Choleretics and cholagogues

CHOLERETICS
Choleretics are agents that increase the volume of secretion of bile
  • Bile acids (e.g: cholic acid, chenodeoxycholic acid)
    • Semisynthetic bile acid derivatives (e.g: dehydrocholic acid)
    • Sodium salts of bile acids
  • Mechanism of action
    • Bile salts stimulate choleresis (bile flow)
    • Bile salts emulsify lipids, enhancing the digestion of ffats and the absorption of long chain fatty acids.
  • Uses
    • Bile salts and acids treat vigorous maldigestion syndromes characterized by steatorrhea (e.g: pancreatitis and bile salt deficiency).
Cholagogues
  • These are agents that promote the flow of bile from the liver and gall bladder. Eg: licorice, ursodeoxycholic acid.
Last modified: Wednesday, 25 April 2012, 10:06 AM