Ursodeoxycholic Acid
About
Ursodeoxycholic Acid belongs to a group of medicines called the biliary agents or gall stone dissolution agents used to treat gall stones, primary biliary cholangitis (an autoimmune disease of the liver), excess cholesterol in bile and children above 6years with biliary and liver diseases caused by cystic fibrosis.
Ursodeoxycholic Acid contains ursodeoxycholic acid, which is a naturally-occurring bile acid. Ursodeoxycholic Acid helps decrease the production of cholesterol in the blood, thereby dissolving gall bladder stones composed mainly of cholesterol. Ursodeoxycholic Acid has a protective effect on the liver cells from injury caused due to toxic bile acids and improves liver function.
Take Ursodeoxycholic Acid with food. You are advised to take Ursodeoxycholic Acid for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you depending on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience certain common side-effects such as abdominal discomfort, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, nausea, rash, dizziness, indigestion and weakness. Most of these side-effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side-effects persistently.
Inform your doctor before taking Ursodeoxycholic Acid if you have variceal bleeding (high blood pressure in portal veins), ascites (excess abdominal fluid), liver encephalopathy or liver disease. Do not take Ursodeoxycholic Acid if you are pregnant or breastfeeding unless prescribed. Ursodeoxycholic Acid can be given to children above 6 years if prescribed by the doctor. Avoid consuming alcohol along with Ursodeoxycholic Acid as it could lead to increased drowsiness and liver damage. Keep your doctor informed about your health condition and medicines to rule out any side-effects.
Uses of Ursodeoxycholic Acid
Medicinal Benefits
Ursodeoxycholic Acid contains ursodeoxycholic acid, which is a naturally-occurring bile acid. It belongs to a group of medicines called the biliary agent or gall stone dissolution agents used to treat gall stones, primary biliary cholangitis (an autoimmune disease of the liver), excess cholesterol in bile children above 6 years with biliary and liver diseases caused by cystic fibrosis. Ursodeoxycholic Acid breaks down the cholesterol that has formed into gall bladder stones, thereby dissolves the stones. Ursodeoxycholic Acid has a protective effect on the liver cells and the immune system, thereby improving liver function. Ursodeoxycholic Acid decreases the amount of cholesterol produced by the liver and absorbed by the intestine. In patients with primary biliary cirrhosis, Ursodeoxycholic Acid increases the bile flow.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Ursodeoxycholic Acid
- Abdominal discomfort
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea
- Fever
- Cough
- Rash
- Dizziness
- Indigestion
- Black or tarry stools
- Frequent and painful urination
- Weakness
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not take Ursodeoxycholic Acid if you are allergic to any of its contents, if you have inflammation of gall bladder and bile ducts, narrowing or blockage bile ducts, biliary colic, calcified gallstones, improper constriction of the gallbladder, gastric or duodenal ulcer. Inform your doctor before taking Ursodeoxycholic Acid if you have variceal bleeding (high blood pressure in portal veins), ascites (excess abdominal fluid), liver encephalopathy or liver disease. Consult your doctor before taking Ursodeoxycholic Acid with other medicines as Ursodeoxycholic Acid might reduce the absorption of antibiotics (ciprofloxacin and dapsone) and antihypertensive agents (nitrendipine), increase the effect of immunosuppressants (cyclosporine), oral contraceptives (oestrogen) and cholesterol-lowering agents (clofibrate) might promote the formation of gallstones. Do not take Ursodeoxycholic Acid if you are pregnant or breastfeeding unless prescribed. Ursodeoxycholic Acid can be given to children above 6 years if prescribed by the doctor. Avoid consuming alcohol along with Ursodeoxycholic Acid as it could lead to increased drowsiness and liver damage. Keep your doctor informed about your health condition and medicines to rule out any unpleasant side-effects.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Ursodeoxycholic Acid may have interaction with antibiotics (ciprofloxacin and dapsone), antihypertensive agents (nitrendipine), immunosuppressants (cyclosporine), hormone (oestrogen), antacids (aluminium hydroxide, aluminium carbonate, magaldrate).
Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found/established.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have biliary obstruction and liver impairment, variceal bleeding (high blood pressure in portal veins), ascites (excess abdominal fluid), or liver encephalopathy.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid consumption of alcohol while taking Ursodeoxycholic Acid as it may cause increased dizziness and liver damage.
Pregnancy
cautionUrsodeoxycholic Acid belongs to pregnancy category B. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this, your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionConsult your doctor before taking Ursodeoxycholic Acid; your doctor will decide whether Ursodeoxycholic Acid can be taken by breastfeeding mothers or not.
Driving
cautionUrsodeoxycholic Acid does not affect your ability to drive. However, you are advised to be cautious while driving if you experience dizziness.
Liver
cautionDose adjustment may be needed in patients with liver impairment. Please consult your doctor if you have a liver impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Kidney
cautionDose adjustment may be needed in patients with kidney impairment. Please consult your doctor if you have kidney impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Children
cautionUrsodeoxycholic Acid can be given to children with caution above 6 years and only if prescribed by the doctor.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Include foods such as bell peppers, citrus fruits, leafy vegetables, tomatoes, milk, fish, low-fat dairy, beans, nuts, lentils, tofu and tempeh in your diet.
- Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet which includes fruits and vegetables.
- Foods rich in Vitamin B, C and calcium, are good for gallbladder.
- Plant-based protein foods such as beans, nuts, lentils, tofu and tempeh help prevent gallbladder disease.
- Avoid high-fat, trans-fat and processed foods.
- White bread, white pasta and sugars should be avoided.
- Avoid tobacco and alcohol consumption.
Special Advise
- Your doctor may advice regular liver function test to monitor the function of the liver and the progress of the treatment.
- Ursodeoxycholic Acid may rarely cause thinning and loss of hair, if there is excessive loss of hair consult your doctor for further advice.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Primary biliary cholangitis: Primary biliary cholangitis, formerly known as primary biliary cirrhosis, is an autoimmune disease caused by bile ducts damage in the liver. Bile ducts are the small channels which carry the bile (digestive fluid) from the liver to small intestine where it breaks down fats and aids in its absorption. Biliary cirrhosis causes a build-up of bile in the liver, which leads to liver damage.
Gallbladder stones: Gallbladder is a small organ located below the liver which stores bile, which helps with digestion. Excess cholesterol in bile leads to the formation of gallstones. Gallstones can cause pain in the abdomen, dark urine and stools, indigestion, diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting.
Cystic fibrosis: It is a hereditary disease that affects the digestive system and lungs. In this condition, the body produces a thick and sticky fluid that obstructs the pancreas and clogs the lungs.
FAQs
Ursodeoxycholic Acid works in decreasing the production of cholesterol and by dissolving the cholesterol in bile, thereby prevents the formation of gallstones. Ursodeoxycholic Acid decreases the toxic levels of bile acids that accumulate in primary biliary cirrhosis.
Do not discontinue Ursodeoxycholic Acid without consulting your doctor. To treat your condition effectually continue taking Ursodeoxycholic Acid for as long as prescribed. Do not be reluctant to speak with your doctor if you feel any difficulty while taking Ursodeoxycholic Acid.
Diarrhoea might be a side-effect of Ursodeoxycholic Acid. Drink lots of fluids and eat food rich in fibre if you experience diarrhoea. If you find blood in stools (tarry stools) or if you experience excess diarrhoea consult your doctor. Do not take anti-diarrheal medicine on your own.
Avoid taking aluminium-containing antacids along with Ursodeoxycholic Acid as they might interfere with the absorption of Ursodeoxycholic Acid. Maintain a gap of 2 hours between both.
Ursodeoxycholic Acid might reduce the absorption of antibiotics (ciprofloxacin and dapsone) and antihypertensive agents (nitrendipine). Ursodeoxycholic Acid might increase the effect of immunosuppressants (cyclosporine). Cholesterol-lowering agents (clofibrate) might promote the formation of gallstones. Inform your doctor before taking Ursodeoxycholic Acid with other medicines to avoid unpleasant side-effects.
Oral contraceptives (oestrogen) might promote the formation of gallstones. Consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this, your doctor may advise other contraception methods.
