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ursodiol
Used for Cirrhosis, Gallstones
Used for Cirrhosis, Gallstones
Ursodiol is a type of bile acid. It comes as capsules and tablets that are taken by mouth. The capsules are used to dissolve gallstones in adults who can't have or don't want gallbladder surgery. They also prevent gallstones in adults considered obese who are losing weight quickly. Ursodiol tablets are used to treat a liver condition called primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) in adults. Ursodiol is usually taken a few times day. Common side effects include diarrhea and stomach upset.
What is Ursodiol?
What is Ursodiol used for?
Ursodiol capsules
- To dissolve gallstones
- To prevent gallstones in adults considered obsese who are losing weight quickly
Ursodiol tablets
- To treat primary biliary cholangitis (PBC)
How Ursodiol works
Ursodiol is a bile acid that helps prevent and dissolve certain gallstones. It works by lowering how much cholesterol your gut absorbs and how much cholesterol your liver releases into bile. This helps lower cholesterol in bile and dissolve gallstones.
For primary biliary cholagitis (PBC), ursodiol helps replace harmful bile acids in the liver. It also helps protect liver and bile duct cells from damage.
When does Ursodiol start working?Time passed since treatment started:
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Urso 250, Urso Forte, Ursolign, Reltone |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Bile acid |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
Side effects of Ursodiol
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
Ursodiol capsules - Gallstone treatment
- Stomach pain (43%)
- Diarrhea (27%)
- Viral infection (19%)
- Headache (18%)
- Indigestion (17%)
- Upper respiratory tract infection (16%)
Ursodiol capsules - Gallstone prevention
- Constipation (26%)
- Diarrhea (25%)
- Headache (25%)
- Nausea (17%)
- Dizziness (17%)
- Vomiting (14%)
Note: These side effect rates are for ursodiol capsules. Ursodiol tablets might cause some of the same side effects.
Less Common Side Effects
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Feeling gassy
- Joint pain
- Muscle pain
- Sore throat
- Hair loss (reported with capsules for gallstone prevention)
When do Ursodiol possible side effects begin and end?
Time passed since treatment started:
H
D
W
M
Risk of diarrhea
If a line continues to the right, you'll likely keep experiencing this side effect once it starts.
More on Ursodiol side effects
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.
Pros and cons of Ursodiol
Pros
- Capsules can help dissolve gallstones without surgery
- Tablets can be used long term to treat PBC
Cons
- Doesn't works for all types of gallstones
- Might need to be taken up to 4 times a day, depending on why you're taking it
Pharmacist tips for Ursodiol
- For ursodiol capsules: Swallow the capsules whole. Take your doses with or without food, at around the same times each day.
- For ursodiol tablets: Take with food at about the same times every day. You can split scored tablets in half if needed. Swallow the half-tablet right away with water because it can taste bitter. Keep the unused half at room temperature for up to 28 days, away from whole tablets.
- Tell your prescriber and pharmacist about all the medications you take. Some medications can make ursodiol work less well. These include cholestyramine (Prevalite), colestipol (Colestid), and antacids that contain aluminum, like some Mylanta products. Certain birth control pills and estrogen can also affect how well ursodiol works. Your care team can check if your medications are safe to take together.
- Keep your appointments for blood tests and other checkups. Your prescriber will check your liver function periodically during treatment. This helps check that ursodiol is still safe for you to take. And if you take the capsules to dissolve gallstones, you'll usually need regular ultrasounds every 6 months during the first year. This helps see how well ursodiol is working.
- If you're pregnant or plan to become pregnant: Talk to your prescriber before taking ursodiol. Studies haven't shown a higher risk of harm to unborn babies. To be safe, your prescriber can help you weigh the risks and benefits of taking ursodiol during pregnancy.
- If you're breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed: Tell your prescriber. Only small amounts of ursodiol pass into breast milk, so it isn't expected to harm to your baby. Your prescriber can help decide if it's safe for you to take.
Risks and warnings for Ursodiol
Ursodiol can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Abnormal liver function tests
Ursodiol hasn't been linked to liver damage. But your prescriber will still check your liver function before and during treatment. These blood tests help watch for signs of worsening liver problems.
Tell your care team right away if you notice yellowing of your skin or eyes, dark urine, unusual tiredness, or stomach pain. These could be signs that your liver isn't working well.
Intestinal stones and bowel blockage
- Risk factors: People with medical conditions that narrow the intestines or slow down digestion (e.g., Crohn's disease) | Have had certain bowel surgeries
In rare cases, people who took ursodiol developed stones in their intestines. These have somtimes caused a bowel blockage that might need surgery. The risk is higher in people with conditions that narrow the intestines or slow digestion, such as Crohn's disease. People who've had certain bowel surgeries might also be at higher risk.
Stop taking ursodiol and get medical help right away if you have severe stomach pain, bloating, or vomiting. These could be signs of a bowel blockage. Your care team can check if it's safe for you to keep taking ursodiol.
Ursodiol dosage
The average cost for 30 tablets of 250mg of Ursodiol is $18.37 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 77.17% off the average retail price of $80.45. 
Capsule
Capsule| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 300mg | 60 capsules | $37.98 | $0.63 |
Interactions between Ursodiol and other drugs
Ursodiol may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Ursodiol. Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.
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.
How much does Ursodiol cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
Ursodiol contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Ursodiol will not be safe for you to take.
Ursodiol capsules:
- Allergy to bile acids
- People with gallstones that can't be dissolved by ursodiol (e.g., calcified cholesterol stones, radiopaque stones, radiolucent bile pigment stones)
- People who need surgery to remove the gallstone(s)
Ursodiol tablets:
- Complete blockage of the bile ducts
What are alternatives to Ursodiol?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Ursodiol. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
News about Ursodiol
Ursodiol images
