TUDCA and Alcohol: How Long Should You Wait?
To protect your liver, experts recommend waiting at least 12 hours after your last TUDCA dose before drinking alcohol. Likewise, if you’ve recently consumed alcohol, allow 12–24 hours for your body to clear the alcohol before taking TUDCA again.
This buffer window is crucial to prevent “double stress” on liver cells and to maximize the supplement’s protective benefits. While TUDCA supports detoxification and bile flow, poor timing can create unwanted counter-effects.
The article below breaks down how TUDCA interacts with alcohol and provides science-based, practical guidelines to help you safeguard your liver effectively.
Before exploring further, please read the disclaimer located at the end of this webpage.
Key Takeaways
- No clear guideline exists, but waiting at least 12 hours after TUDCA is commonly suggested.
- TUDCA supports liver health but doesn’t offset alcohol damage.
- Avoid taking TUDCA on the same day as drinking.
- For general use, occasional alcohol may be acceptable with medical advice.
Exactly How Long Should You Wait After Taking TUDCA to Drink Alcohol?
Currently, no clinical studies define an exact waiting period between taking TUDCA and consuming alcohol. However, based on liver metabolism, experts recommend the following safety windows:
- After drinking alcohol: Wait at least 12 hours, ideally up to 3 days, before taking TUDCA. This gives the liver time to process alcohol toxins and prevents overload when introducing additional compounds from supplements.
- Before drinking alcohol: Stop taking TUDCA for at least 24 hours. Having both alcohol and TUDCA circulating in the liver’s epithelial system at the same time may trigger unwanted counter-reactions.
Important notes for different users
For individuals with liver conditions:
Complete alcohol avoidance is strongly advised during treatment. Studies on chronic hepatitis patients show the best outcomes in people without alcohol misuse and with strict limits on alcohol intake before and during therapy [2].
For general liver-support users:
Some believe TUDCA may help lessen alcohol’s negative impact when taken after drinking, but this is not a free pass for heavy alcohol use. TUDCA aids recovery—it cannot fully prevent acute alcohol-related liver damage.
Why Do You Shouldn't Use Tudca Before Drinking Alcohol?
Scientific research on human liver cells shows that taking TUDCA before alcohol exposure can make liver cells more vulnerable to damage compared to alcohol alone (Henzel et al., 2003) [1].
When TUDCA enters liver cells first, it alters the cell membrane structure, making the cells more sensitive to alcohol-related toxins such as ethanol and acetaldehyde (a byproduct of alcohol metabolism). As a result, the cells show reduced metabolic capacity, lower survival rates, and increased membrane leakage.
In contrast, taking TUDCA at the same time as alcohol may offer mild protective effects by stabilizing cell membranes - yet taking it before alcohol still leads to significantly worse outcomes.
Experts recommend waiting at least 12 hours after drinking before using TUDCA to avoid this risk, as the body needs time to fully clear alcohol (Neuman et al., 1995) [8].
On Reddit, some users shared that taking TUDCA before drinking led to discomfort, while others reported fewer issues when taking it afterward—and some even perceived benefits. Still, such anecdotal experiences require further scientific validation.*
Other Precautions And Side Effects Of Tudca
Although Tudca is generally safe for most individuals, it is essential to be aware of potential side effects and take necessary precautions. Some individuals may encounter digestive problems, including nausea, diarrhea, or stomach discomfort when using Tudca.
TUDCA can have adverse effects, such as hepatotoxicity, when taken in high doses [3]. Digestive issues, including diarrhea or constipation, are common side effects that some individuals may experience when using Tudca [4].
When using TUDCA, pregnant or breastfeeding women need to avoid its use due to limited research on its safety in these populations [5]. Additionally, Tudca supplements are generally considered safe when taken in the recommended amounts.
How Much Tudca Should You Take?
It is worth noting that Tudca is generally well tolerated, and the majority of users do not experience any side effects when supplementing with the recommended 500 mg dose [7].
The recommended dosage of Tudca for patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is typically between 500 to 1,500 mg per day, as suggested by research [6].
To ensure optimal tolerance, it is advisable to begin with a lower dose and gradually increase it as tolerated. Taking Tudca with fatty meals can help support digestion and enhance its effectiveness.
Related Articles:
- Tudca Vs Nac: Comparison For Choosing Your Supplements
- TUDCA Vs. Ox bile: Which is Better Ox Bile or TUDCA?
- 7 Best TUDCA Supplements for Liver & Biliary Health
Conclusion
In conclusion, the answer for “How many hours after taking Tudca can I drink alcohol?” is not specific because there are many reports about the timing. Also, Tudca has been studied extensively and has shown positive results in protecting the liver from various toxins, including alcohol.
However, it is essential to exercise caution when combining Tudca with alcohol consumption and remember that Tudca should not be used as a means to protect the liver from alcohol consumption.
References
- [1] Henzel, K., Thorborg, C., Hofmann, M., Zimmer, G., & Leuschner, U. (2004). Toxicity of ethanol and acetaldehyde in hepatocytes treated with ursodeoxycholic or tauroursodeoxycholic acid. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, 1644(1), 37–45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbamcr.2003.10.017
- [2] P. Portincasa, Palmieri, V., F. Doronzo, G. Vendemiale, Altomare, E., C. Sabbà, G. Palasciano, & Albano, O. (1993). Effect of tauroursodeoxycholic acid on serum liver enzymes and dyspeptic symptoms in patients with chronic active hepatitis. Current Therapeutic Research, 53(5), 521–532. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0011-393x(05)80659-9
- [3] Drack, A. V., Dumitrescu, A. V., Bhattarai, S., Gratie, D., Stone, E. M., Mullins, R., & Sheffield, V. C. (2012). TUDCA Slows Retinal Degeneration in Two Different Mouse Models of Retinitis Pigmentosa and Prevents Obesity in Bardet-Biedl Syndrome Type 1 Mice. Investigative Opthalmology & Visual Science, 53(1), 100. https://doi.org/10.1167/iovs.11-8544
- [4] Ashish Atreja, Fasihuddin, F., Shashank Garge, Davidoff, L., Rubin, J., Kakkar, S., Wedel, N., Divya Madisetty, Rohit Singhania, Jain, C. M., Sravya Kurra, & Sands, B. (2021). A POPULATION-BASED APPROACH TO DIGITAL OUTREACH, TRIAGE, AND MONITORING OF IBD PATIENTS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, 27(Supplement_1), S5–S5. https://doi.org/10.1093/ibd/izaa347.012
- [5] Elia, A. E., Lalli, S., Monsurrò, M. R., A. Sagnelli, Taiello, A. C., B. Reggiori, Bella, V. L., Tedeschi, G., & Albanese, A. (2015). Tauroursodeoxycholic acid in the treatment of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. European Journal of Neurology, 23(1), 45–52. https://doi.org/10.1111/ene.12664
- [6] Ma, H., Zeng, M., Han, Y., Yan, H., Tang, H., Sheng, J., Hu, H., Cheng, L., Xie, Q., Zhu, Y., Chen, G., Gao, Z., Xie, W., Wang, J., Wu, S., Wang, G., Miao, X., Fu, X., Duan, L., & Xu, J. (2016). A multicenter, randomized, double-blind trial comparing the efficacy and safety of TUDCA and UDCA in Chinese patients with primary biliary cholangitis. Medicine, 95(47), e5391. https://doi.org/10.1097/md.0000000000005391
- [7] A. LARGHI, A. CROSIGNANI, BATTEZZATI, P. M., VALLE, G. D., ALLOCCA, M., P. INVERNIZZI, M. ZUIN, & M. PODDA. (1997). Ursodeoxycholic and tauro‐ursodeoxycholic acids for the treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis: a pilot crossover study. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 11(2), 409–414. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2036.1997.124295000.x
- [8] Neuman, M. G., Cameron, R. G., Shear, N. H., Stefano Bellentani, & Tiribelli, C. (1995). Effect of tauroursodeoxycholic and ursodeoxycholic acid on ethanol-induced cell injuries in the human Hep G2 cell line. Gastroenterology, 109(2), 555–563. https://doi.org/10.1016/0016-5085(95)90345-3
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