Ursodeoxycholic Acid

• Ursodeoxycholic acid is used to dissolve gallbladder stones that are made of cholesterol in various liver-related disorders such as cirrhosis and sclerosing cholangitis.
• It is also useful in liver dysfunction associated with cystic fibrosis (a hereditary disease that affects the lungs and digestive system).

When should one not use Ursodeoxycholic Acid

• If you are allergic to Ursodeoxycholic acid or similar medicines.
• If you are suffering from a liver or intestinal condition which affects the circulation of bile substances like blockage of the bile duct.
• If you are suffering from inflammation/blockage of the gall bladder or biliary tract.
• If you have a liver-related disorder and non-functional gall bladder.
• If you have recently had surgery involving any part of your intestine.
• If you have a stomach or intestinal ulcer or bleeding.

Common side effects of this drug are:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea

Other General Warnings

• You have a history of liver disease or obstruction in bile passage.
• You experience persistent diarrhoea.
• Avoid a high cholesterol diet during the treatment.

How Does It Work?

Interactions with other medicines

• Some medicines can affect the way ursodeoxycholic acid works or this medicine itself can reduce the effectiveness of other medicines taken at the same time. Tell your doctor about all the medicines, supplements or herbals you are currently taking or might take to avoid any possible interaction.
• Concomitant use of Ursodeoxycholic acid along with cholesterol-lowering medicines such as cholestyramine or colestipol and some antacids may reduce Ursodeoxycholic acid’s efficacy. So, it should be taken between the gap of 2 hours at least.
• Contraceptive pills should not be used simultaneously with this medicine.
• Medicines that may affect Ursodeoxycholic acid’s absorption are charcoal and antibiotics like ciprofloxacin, immunosuppressants like ciclosporin, cholesterol-lowering medicines like atorvastatin and dapsone used as an anti-infective. Thus, it should not be used concomitantly.