library.onepin.app/tudca Peptide Education Library
Education only, not medical advice 21+ Every dose is an example to finalize with a licensed provider

OnePin Peptide Library · Metabolic

Metabolic Bile Acid (Tauroursodeoxycholic Acid)

TUDCA

Tauroursodeoxycholic Acid

Bile Acid (Tauroursodeoxycholic Acid)Hepatoprotective AgentER Stress ModulatorDietary Supplement (US) / Pharmaceutical (UDCA in EU)

TUDCA (Tauroursodeoxycholic Acid) is a taurine-conjugated bile acid produced naturally in small quantities by the liver and gut. The non-conjugated form (UDCA / Ursodiol) is FDA-approved as Actigall for primary biliary cholangitis and gallstone management. TUDCA itself is sold as a dietary supplement in the US (in larger quantities than UDCA) and is researched for hepatoprotection, ER stress reduction, and as an adjunct to oral anabolic steroid cycles where hepatic stress is a concern.

Quick Start
Route
Oral capsule
Start low
250-500mg
Frequency
1-2x daily
Timing
With food (improves bile-mediated absorption)

With meals containing some fat for optimal bile flow and absorption.

Start here. Every protocol below is ordered lowest-first. Begin at the smallest effective dose, hold about a week to assess tolerance, and step up only if needed.

Tiered Protocols · lowest first
Quick Start
Conservative start
250-500mg · Oral capsule · 1-2x daily
Lowest starting point. Hold about a week to assess tolerance before stepping up.
250-500mg
1-2x daily
Intermediate
Advanced Hepatic Clearance
250-500 mg · Oral · Daily
human clinical trial · Larghi et al. 1997 (Aliment Pharmacol Ther)
250-500 mg
Daily
01

How it works

TUDCA functions through multiple complementary mechanisms:

ER Stress Reduction

TUDCA acts as a chemical chaperone, stabilizing protein folding in the endoplasmic reticulum and reducing the unfolded protein response (UPR). Excess UPR drives apoptosis in hepatocytes and other cells.

Bile Acid Pool Modulation

Replaces hydrophobic, cytotoxic bile acids (deoxycholic acid, lithocholic acid) with the more hydrophilic, less-toxic TUDCA - protective in cholestatic liver disease.

Mitochondrial Membrane Stabilization

Reduces cytochrome c release and apoptotic signaling in stressed hepatocytes.

Anti-Apoptotic in Multiple Tissues

Extends to neurons (research interest in ALS, retinitis pigmentosa) and retinal photoreceptors.

Bile Solubilization

Improves bile flow and may dissolve cholesterol gallstones (UDCA-class effect).

02

What to expect

Early
Days 1–7

Days 1-7: minimal subjective change.

Mid
Weeks 2–4

Weeks 4-8: liver function tests may improve in users with elevated baseline.

Later
Weeks 4–12

Long-term: sustained hepatoprotection during chronic liver stress.

03

Evidence

HumanStrong
AnimalStrong
In-vitroPresent
2006Tauroursodeoxycholic acid attenuates endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis · Ozcan U et al, Science ↗peer reviewed
1996Tauroursodeoxycholic acid in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis · Crosignani A et al, Hepatology ↗peer reviewed
2018Bile acids and ER stress: implications for hepatic and metabolic disease · Vettorazzi G et al, International Journal of Molecular Sciences ↗review
2014Tauroursodeoxycholic acid for the treatment of retinitis pigmentosa · Pardue MT et al, Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences ↗review
04

Interactions & stacking

What's safe to combine, and what belongs in a separate pin.

Keep separate

05

Side effects & safety

Commonly reported

  • Mild diarrhea (laxative effect at higher doses)
  • Mild GI upset

Less common & notes

  • Allergic reaction rare.
  • Long-term safety good per UDCA decades of clinical use.
  • Bile-acid class effects minimal at supplement doses.
06

Pharmacokinetics

Illustrative plasma concentration · 24 h
Half-life
~3-5 hours
Peak · Tmax
1-3 hours post-ingestion
Elimination
Enterohepatic circulation extends bile-acid pool effect
Activity
Daily dosing supports steady bile-acid pool modulation

Storage. Capsule. Stable at room temperature. Keep dry.

07

Regulatory status

TUDCA is sold as a dietary supplement in the US (DSHEA). UDCA (Ursodiol/Actigall) is FDA-approved for primary biliary cholangitis and gallstone dissolution. EU regulates UDCA more strictly than the US handles TUDCA.

Put it to work

Calculate, log & track

Open TUDCA straight into OnePin with your vial and dose pre-filled, then let it handle the syringe math and remind you before the vial runs out.

Open TUDCA in the app →

Go deeper

The guide & community

The complete TUDCA walkthrough, real protocol discussion and coaching live inside the BlessUp community on Skool.

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