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Ursodiol
What is ursodiol?
Ursodiol is a bile acid that decreases the amount of cholesterol produced by the liver and absorbed by the intestines. Ursodiol helps break down cholesterol that has formed into stones in the gallbladder. Ursodiol also increases bile flow in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis.
Ursodiol is used to treat small gallstones in people who cannot have gallbladder surgery, and to prevent gallstones in overweight patients undergoing rapid weight loss. Ursodiol is also used to treat primary biliary cirrhosis.
Ursodiol is not for treating gallstones that are calcified.
Ursodiol may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
Precautions
Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have liver disease.
FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether ursodiol passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
To treat gallstones, you may have to take ursodiol for several months, and not all gallstones may completely dissolve. Many people who use this medicine will develop gallstones again within 5 years after treatment with ursodiol. Talk to your doctor about your specific risks for repeated gallstones.
Avoid using antacids without your doctor’s advice. Use only the specific type of antacid your doctor recommends. Antacids contain different medicines and some types can make it harder for your body to absorb ursodiol.
Instructions
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
An overdose of ursodiol is likely to cause diarrhea.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Side-effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Other less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:
- fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
- stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea, constipation;
- dizziness, tired feeling;
- back pain;
- runny or stuffy nose, cold symptoms; or
- headache.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
Interactions
Before taking ursodiol, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
- cholestyramine (Questran);
- colestipol (Colestid);
- estrogens (birth control pills or hormone replacement); or
- antacids that contain aluminum, such as Rolaids, Mylanta, or Maalox).
If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use ursodiol or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.
There may be other drugs not listed that can affect ursodiol. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
Disclaimer
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Copyright 1996-2004 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version 2.05. Revision date 8/23/04