Key takeaways

  • Iqirvo (elafibranor) is a prescription drug approved to treat a certain liver condition called primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) in adults.
  • Iqirvo comes in the form of an oral tablet and is only available as a brand-name drug.
  • Iqirvo may interact with several other medications, including hormonal birth control, statin drugs, and more.

To learn more about Iqirvo’s uses, see the “Uses for Iqirvo” section.

Iqirvo basics

Iqirvo contains the active ingredient elafibranor. It belongs to a group of drugs called peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) agonists.

Iqirvo is a brand-name medication. A generic version of the drug isn’t currently available.

Note: Iqirvo has received accelerated approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This means that early studies suggest Iqirvo may be effective for treating PBC. However, more studies are in progress to better understand the drug’s benefit for people with this condition. The FDA will use the results of these studies to decide whether to fully approve Iqirvo.

Iqirvo is used to treat PBC in adults.

PBC is a condition that damages the bile ducts, which are small passages that carry bile (a digestive fluid) from the liver to the small intestine. When these ducts are damaged, bile can build up in the liver and cause liver injury. Symptoms may include dry eyes or mouth, low energy, itching, and abdominal pain.

For PBC, doctors may prescribe Iqirvo alone or together with ursodiol oral tablets.

Doctors typically do not prescribe Iqirvo for people with decompensated cirrhosis (advanced liver scarring).

Iqirvo’s mechanism of action (how it works) for treating PBC is not fully understood. However, the drug is thought to reduce liver inflammation and improve how bile acids are managed in the body. This may help slow liver damage and ease symptoms of PBC.

Like most drugs, Iqirvo may cause mild to serious side effects. The following lists contain some of the more common side effects Iqirvo may cause, but they don’t include all possible side effects.

Keep in mind that side effects of a drug can depend on:

  • your age
  • other health conditions you have
  • other medications you take

Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the potential side effects of Iqirvo. They can also suggest ways to help reduce side effects.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Sharing your experience helps make medications safer for everyone by giving doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you develop a side effect while taking Iqirvo and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

Mild side effects

Here’s a list of some of the mild side effects that Iqirvo can cause. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or read Iqirvo’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects of Iqirvo that have been reported include:

Mild side effects of many drugs may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Iqirvo can occur, but they aren’t common. If you have serious side effects from Iqirvo, call your doctor right away. If you think you’re having a medical emergency, you should call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects of Iqirvo that have been reported include:

Allergic reaction

For some people, Iqirvo can cause an allergic reaction.

In general, symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should continue Iqirvo treatment.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Iqirvo, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

The following information describes Iqirvo dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Form and strength

Iqirvo comes as an oral tablet. It’s available in one strength of 80 milligrams (mg).

Recommended dosage

Your doctor will prescribe the dosage of Iqirvo that’s right for you. Keep reading to learn more.

Dosage for primary biliary cholangitis

For treatment of PBC, your doctor will likely prescribe one 80-mg tablet, taken once per day.

About taking Iqirvo

The following are some common questions about taking Iqirvo.

  • Can Iqirvo be chewed, crushed, or split? The manufacturer of Iqirvo does not specify whether the tablets can be chewed, crushed, or split. If you have trouble swallowing the tablets, you can get tips on how to swallow pills, or ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
  • Should I take Iqirvo with food? Iqirvo can be taken with or without food.
  • Is there a best time of day to take Iqirvo? Iqirvo can be taken at any time of day, but it’s best to take it around the same time each day. This helps keep a steady level of the drug in your body, which helps Iqirvo work effectively.
  • What if I miss a dose of Iqirvo? If you miss a dose of Iqirvo, take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s almost time to take your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at its usual time. You should not take two doses at once to make up for a missed dose. Doing so could raise your risk of side effects.
  • Will I need to use Iqirvo long term? Iqirvo is typically used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.
  • How long does Iqirvo take to work? Iqirvo begins to work after you take your first dose. But you may not feel the drug working in your body. Your doctor will order liver tests throughout your treatment to check whether Iqirvo is working for your condition.

Iqirvo can interact with several other medications. However, it’s not known to interact with any supplements or foods.

Before taking Iqirvo, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, or supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

Interactions with medications

The following list highlights medications that can interact with Iqirvo. This list does not contain all drugs that may interact with Iqirvo. If you have questions about interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Medications that can interact with Iqirvo include:

Iqirvo and alcohol

Alcohol is not known to interact with Iqirvo.

However, drinking large amounts of alcohol can worsen liver damage. Iqirvo is used to treat primary biliary cholangitis, which is a liver condition. For this reason, your doctor may recommend limiting alcohol intake during Iqirvo treatment.

If you have questions about drinking alcohol while taking Iqirvo, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Whether you have health insurance or not, cost may be a factor when you’re considering Iqirvo. What you’ll pay for Iqirvo may depend on several things, such as your treatment plan and the pharmacy you use

Here are a few things to consider regarding cost:

  • Comparing pharmacies: The price of Iqirvo may vary depending on which pharmacy you use, so it can help to compare prices across pharmacies to find the lowest cost.
  • Savings program: A program called IPSEN CARES may be available. For more information and to find out whether you’re eligible for support, call 866-435-5677 or visit the program website.

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

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The following is important information to consider and discuss with your doctor or pharmacist before taking Iqirvo.

Pregnancy and Iqirvo

Iqirvo should not be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this drug. They may suggest birth control options to use during treatment with Iqirvo and for at least 3 weeks after your final dose.

Birth control and Iqirvo

It’s not safe to take Iqirvo during pregnancy. Therefore, if you’re sexually active and you or your partner can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about your birth control options while you’re taking Iqirvo.

Note: The use of binary terms such as “male” and “female” or “men” and “women” in this article reflects the language of the sources we’ve used. Unless otherwise noted, it’s unclear whether the research we reference included participants with expansive gender identities.

For females taking Iqirvo

It’s recommended that females who can become pregnant use birth control during treatment with Iqirvo and for at least 3 weeks after taking the final dose.

For males taking Iqirvo

Males with partners who can become pregnant should talk with their doctor about birth control options during Iqirvo treatment.

Iqirvo and breastfeeding

Iqirvo should not be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor about your options. They may advise you to avoid breastfeeding during treatment and for at least 3 weeks after your final dose.

This section describes the warnings and precautions for Iqirvo.

Before taking Iqirvo, discuss your health history with your doctor. Iqirvo may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

Note: For more information about the potential negative effects of Iqirvo, see the “Side effects of Iqirvo” section.

Other drugs are available that can treat primary biliary cholangitis. If you’d like to explore an alternative to Iqirvo, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about other medications that might work well for you.

Examples of alternatives to Iqirvo include seladelpar (Livdelzi) and ursodiol oral tablets.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.