What is Ursodiol?

Ursodiol is a bile acid tablet that reduces cholesterol produced by the liver and absorbed by the intestines. It helps remove cholesterol that has formed into stones in the gallbladder and improves bile flow in patients with early biliary cirrhosis.

Uses of Ursodiol

Gallstones: Ursodiol is used to dissolve gallstones in people who do not want surgery. It also prevents gallstones in overweight individuals who are losing weight rapidly.
Primary Biliary Cirrhosis: It treats patients with primary biliary cirrhosis by reducing toxic bile acid levels.

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Ursodiol Side Effects

Common Side Effects:

Diarrhea
Constipation
Nausea
Indigestion
Dizziness
Headache
Vomiting
Cough
Fever
Sore throat
Back pain
Muscle pain
Joint swelling
Pain
Stiffness
Hair loss

H3: Serious Side Effects:

Severe allergic reactions such as rash, itching, and trouble breathing (rare).

Precautions

Before taking Ursodiol, discuss with your doctor if you have any allergies or medical history, including:

Liver disease
Ascites
Variceal bleeding
Hepatic encephalopathy

How To Take Ursodiol

Form: Capsules and tablets
Dosage:
- To treat gallstones: 2 or 3 times a day with or without food.
- To prevent gallstones in rapid weight loss: Twice a day.
- To treat primary biliary cirrhosis: 2 to 4 times a day with food.

Follow prescription labels carefully and avoid taking in incorrect amounts.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, skip it and continue with the next dose at the regular time. Do not double up on doses.

Overdose

In case of an overdose, seek immediate medical attention to avoid harmful effects.

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Drug Interactions

Discuss with your doctor if you are taking:

Aluminum-containing antacids
Birth control pills
Cholesterol medications
Estrogen

Storage

Store at room temperature (68ºF to 77ºF or 20ºC to 25ºC).
Keep away from heat, air, and light.
Keep out of reach of children.

Ursodiol vs. Udiliv

Ursodiol	Udiliv
Reduces cholesterol produced by the liver and absorbed by the intestines.	Used to dissolve gallstones and treat primary biliary cirrhosis.
Used for dissolving gallstones in people who do not want surgery.	Dissolves cholesterol gallbladder stones and treats liver-related disorders such as cirrhosis and sclerosing cholangitis.
Common Side Effects: Diarrhea, constipation, nausea, indigestion, dizziness, headache.	Common Side Effects: Abdominal pain, diarrhea, hair loss, itching, nausea, rash.

Citations

Ursodiol for Hepatobiliary Disorders, ID:10.7326/0003-4819-121-3-199408010-0000

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the drug ursodiol used for?

Ursodiol medicine is used for the treatment of people with primary biliary cirrhosis. It belongs to the class of medications called gallstone dissolution agents.

2. What does ursodiol do for the liver?

Ursodiol is used to dissolve and prevent cholesterol gallstones. The medication blocks the enzyme in the liver that produces cholesterol, thereby decreasing the production of cholesterol.

3. What health conditions is ursodiol commonly prescribed for?

Ursodiol is commonly prescribed to treat gallstones. It helps remove cholesterol that has formed into gallbladder stones and improves patient bile flow.

4. How long does it take for ursodiol to work?

During the treatment with Ursodiol for the dissolution of gallstones, the symptoms of biliary distress begin to improve after 3 to 6 weeks.

5. What happens when you stop taking ursodiol?

If you stop taking Ursodiol, the gallstones may not dissolve. The type of diet the patient follows can affect the stones’ ability to dissolve.