ursodiol
Ursodiol is a bile acid medication used for dogs and cats with certain liver or gallbladder problems. It helps clear out thick gallbladder sludge and protects the liver. Vets use it in pets as an off-label medication because there isn’t an FDA-approved version for animals. Ursodiol comes in tablets and capsules, but some pharmacies can make it into a liquid if needed. The dose depends on your pet’s weight and is usually given with food once or twice a day. The most common side effect is diarrhea.
What is Ursodiol for pets?
What is Ursodiol for pets used for?
- Gallstones made of cholesterol in dogs and cats
- Gallbladder problems in dogs and cats (e.g., too much gallbladder sludge, inflammation)
- Inflammation related to liver problems in dogs and cats
How Ursodiol for pets works
Ursodiol is a bile acid. It helps bile flow better through the liver and into the gut. This helps lower the buildup of bile in the body, which can lessen damage to the gallbladder and liver.
Ursodiol also lowers the amount of cholesterol your pet’s liver makes. In addition, it lowers how much cholesterol their body absorbs from food. This helps reduce the amount of cholesterol in gallstones.
Drug facts
Side effects of Ursodiol for pets
The following side effects might get better over time as your pet gets used to the medication. Let your veterinarian know immediately if your pet continues to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Ursodiol serious side effects
Contact your veterinarian immediately if your pet experiences any of the following.
- Liver problems: yellowing of the skin, gums, or eyes; low energy; vomiting; no appetite
The following Ursodiol side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Bladder pain
bloody or cloudy urine
difficult, burning, or painful urination
dizziness
fast heartbeat
frequent urge to urinate
indigestion
lower back or side pain
severe nausea
skin rash or itching over the entire body
stomach pain
vomiting
weakness
Less common
Black, tarry stools
chills or fever
pinpoint red spots on the skin
severe or continuing stomach pain
sore throat or swollen glands
sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual tiredness or weakness
Incidence not known
Clay-colored stools
dark urine
difficulty with swallowing
headache
hives or welts
hoarseness
large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
loss of appetite
redness of the skin
slow or irregular breathing
tightness in the chest
unpleasant breath odor
yellow eyes or skin
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Back pain
body aches or pain
congestion
general feeling of discomfort or illness
loss of voice
muscle aches
muscle or bone pain
pain, swelling, or redness in the joints
sweating
trouble sleeping
Less common
Rare
Worsening psoriasis
Incidence not known
Acid or sour stomach
belching bloating or swelling of face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
difficulty with moving
rapid weight gain
stomach discomfort or upset
tingling of the hands or feet
unusual weight gain or loss
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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Pros and cons of Ursodiol for pets
Pros
- Well tolerated in dogs and cats
- Can also get a special liquid version of the medication if your pet has trouble swallowing pills
- Might improve your pet’s quality of life
Cons
- Doesn’t work for all types of gallstones
- Might not be a safe option for pets with a blocked bile duct or pancreas problems
- Stops working once your pet stops the medication
Pharmacist tips for Ursodiol for pets
- Ursodiol works best if your pet takes it with food. You can try hiding the tablet or capsule in your pet’s food when they take it. Or, you can feed your pet before giving the medication.
- Don't cut ursodiol tablets or open the capsules unless your veterinarian says it's okay. Only the ursodiol 500 mg tablets have a line across them called a score line. This line shows where you can break the tablet in half. You can keep the half-tablets of the 500 mg tablets in the original bottle for up to 28 days before they're no longer safe for your pet.
- Your vet might prescribe a liquid version of ursodiol that’s made by a compounding pharmacy. This is an option if your pet’s dose isn’t available in pill form or if your pet has trouble taking the pill.
- For compounded liquid ursodiol: Follow your pharmacist and vet’s instructions for how much of the liquid to give to your pet and how to store it. Always use a dosing syringe or cup from the pharmacy to measure out the medication so your pet gets the right dose. Don’t use household spoons since your pet might not get the correct dose if you use them.
- Talk to your pharmacist or vet before giving your pet other medications. Most are safe to take with ursodiol. But it can interact with some medications. Examples include sucralfate, cholestyramine, and antacids containing aluminum like Mylanta.
- Place bowls of fresh water around the house in places where your pet likes to go. Along with ursodiol, making sure your pet stays hydrated is important to help their bile flow better.
Common questions about Ursodiol for pets
Yes, vets sometimes give Denamarin and ursodiol together to dogs. Denamarin is a supplement for dogs that’s marketed to help with liver health. It contains two ingredients: s-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) and silymarin (milk thistle). Denamarin and ursodiol are safe to use together, and they help protect the liver in different ways. Talk to your vet about how to use both for your dog.
Ursodiol is safe and doesn’t cause many side effects for most dogs. But it might not be the best choice for dogs with problems from gallstones. These problems include a blocked bile duct, swelling in the gallbladder, and swelling in the pancreas. These dogs might need to be watched closely to make sure their condition doesn’t get worse while taking ursodiol. Ask your vet if ursodiol is a good option for your dog.
Manufacturers only make ursodiol as tablets or capsules. But your vet might prescribe a liquid version that’s made by a compounding pharmacy for your cat. This is helpful if your cat needs a different dose or has trouble taking pills. Follow your vet and pharmacist’s directions for giving the ursodiol liquid and storing it correctly.
Yes. Some dogs taking ursodiol can have diarrhea, but it’s often rare. If your dog has diarrhea, try not giving them food for several hours, then offer small, bland meals. This might help ease their stomach upset. Make sure they drink plenty of water so they stay hydrated. If the diarrhea doesn’t get better or gets worse, call a vet.
Ask your vet first if you can open the ursodiol capsule to give it to your pet. This is important to make sure your pet gets the right dose. If your vet says it’s okay, be sure to follow their instructions. Some vets might say that you can sprinkle the powder from the capsule onto food or give it with a treat. It’s best to give the medication with food so it works well. Food also helps mask the bitter taste of the powder.
Give your dog ursodiol with food. Food helps the medication work the best it can to help with your dog’s gallbladder or liver problem. It also helps cover up the bitter taste of the medication.
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Risks and warnings for Ursodiol for pets
Ursodiol can cause some serious health issues. This risk might be even higher for certain pets. If this worries you, talk to your veterinarian about other options.
Worsening of certain gallbladder, liver, and pancreas problems
- Risk factors: Blocked bile duct or liver | Pancreatitis
Talk to your vet if your pet has a blocked gallbladder, bile duct, or liver. Also talk to them if your pet has other liver problems or pancreatitis (swelling of the pancreas). They can make sure ursodiol is safe for your pet to take.
Giving ursodiol to pets with these medical conditions can make their health worse. Call the vet if you see signs that your pet’s condition is getting worse while taking this medication. Watch for signs like yellowing of the eyes, gums or skin; being very sleepy; not wanting to eat; or vomiting.
Ursodiol dosage forms for pets
Typical dosage for Ursodiol
The ursodiol dose is based on your pet’s weight.
The typical dose for dogs and cats is 10 mg/kg to 15 mg/kg by mouth once a day with food. Certain pets might need to take ursodiol twice a day.
Interactions between Ursodiol and other drugs for pets
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
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