TUDCA dosage

Protocol

1. 1

   Measure the dose

   Typical TUDCA dose is 500 mg. Use a weight-based calculator for individual adjustments.

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2. 2

   Set the frequency

   Administer daily, divided into 2 doses with food. Half-life of 4 hours anchors the dosing interval.

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3. 3

   Cycle if needed

   Continuous dosing standard; no formal cycling required

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4. 4

   Monitor for side effects

   Watch for: mild GI upset; diarrhea (dose-dependent); constipation (rare); nausea. Stop or reduce dose if tolerability breaks down.

Why this dose

Bile-acid signaling via FXR/TGR5 receptors; chemical chaperone reducing ER stress and unfolded protein response; mitochondrial protection through reduced outer-membrane permeabilization.

The typical 500 mg dose is the figure most commonly used in published protocols for TUDCA. Treat the label as a starting point: body weight, training status, sleep, diet, and concurrent medications all shift the effective dose-response curve in real users.

How to administer

TUDCA is administered via the oral route. Oral dosing is straightforward: take with water, with or without food unless specifically noted.

Onset of action runs around 1 hour after administration. Peak effect lands near 2 hours post-dose. Plan the administration window so that peak effect lines up with whatever outcome you are dosing for, whether that is training, sleep, or symptom coverage.

Half-life note: Plasma half-life 1-4 hours; enterohepatic recycling extends functional duration

Cycling and tolerance

Continuous dosing standard; no formal cycling required

Effects to expect at typical dose

• Bile-acid molecule (taurine-conjugated UDCA) with chemical chaperone activity at the endoplasmic reticulum
• Established pharmaceutical use for cholestasis and primary biliary cholangitis at 500-750 mg/day
• Reduces ER stress and stabilizes misfolded proteins; the mechanistic basis for emerging ALS / retinal applications
• Modest improvements in NAFLD markers and insulin sensitivity at 500-1,750 mg/day in small trials
• Mitochondrial protection signal in animal models drives the longevity-supplement positioning
• Generally well-tolerated; mild GI effects are the main dose-dependent issue

Side effects and interactions

Common side effects

• mild GI upset
• diarrhea (dose-dependent)
• constipation (rare)
• nausea

Notable interactions

• phenylbutyrate (moderate): synergistic for ALS use (Relyvrio combination); consult clinician
• cyclosporine, oral contraceptives, fat-soluble vitamins (minor): modest absorption changes via altered bile-acid pool

Lists above cover commonly reported and well-characterized items. They are not exhaustive: review the full TUDCA profile and discuss with a clinician familiar with your medication list before starting, particularly if you are on prescription therapy or have a chronic condition.

Regulatory snapshot

WADA status

allowed

DEA / Rx

OTC supplement

Pregnancy

Insufficient data for supplement use; UDCA used in cholestasis of pregnancy

Legal status

OTC dietary supplement (US); pharmaceutical in Italy and several Asian countries

Do not use if

• complete biliary obstruction
• pregnancy / lactation (insufficient supplement-dose data)
• active GI disease without medical supervision

Related research