Bile acid (choleretic / litholytic)
Dissolution of radiolucent, noncalcified cholesterol gallbladder stones < 20 mm in greatest diameter in patients at increased surgical risk; prevention of gallstone formation in obese patients experiencing rapid weight loss.
Also known as: Ursodiol, Urso, ursodeoxycholic acid, ácido ursodeoxicólico
DailyMed approved label (Ursodiol Capsule, Strides Pharma; setID 9a6c1928-2d52-4d9a-8e83-f71892a7e98d).
DailyMed approved label (Ursodiol Capsule, Strides Pharma; setID 9a6c1928-2d52-4d9a-8e83-f71892a7e98d).
No documented drug–drug interactions for this medicine.
Taking ursodeoxycholic acid with food optimises its dissolution and absorption.
Take with meals.
EMC-UK (MHRA) — approved Ursodeoxycholic acid SmPC: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/101999/smpc
Ursodeoxycholic acid is contraindicated in biliary obstruction and in patients with undrained cholangitis.
Do not use in patients with biliary obstruction.
EMC-UK (MHRA) — approved Ursodeoxycholic acid SmPC: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/101999/smpc
Ursodeoxycholic acid is used in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy; it may be used when indicated.
Use under medical guidance, usually in the 2nd/3rd trimester for cholestasis of pregnancy.
Excreted into breast milk in small amounts; probably compatible.
No specific additional contraception.
EMC-UK (MHRA) — approved Ursodeoxycholic acid SmPC: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/101999/smpc
Clinical and educational support tool. The information does not replace a medical prescription or the opinion of a qualified healthcare professional.
Hydrophilic bile acid that reduces biliary cholesterol saturation: decreases hepatic cholesterol secretion and intestinal absorption, forming a liquid-crystalline phase that slowly dissolves cholesterol gallstones. It also exerts cytoprotective and immunomodulatory effects in primary biliary cholangitis.
Reduces biliary cholesterol saturation by decreasing hepatic cholesterol secretion and intestinal absorption, promoting progressive dissolution of cholesterol gallstones; the action takes place in the liver, bile and gut lumen.
Well absorbed in the small bowel (~90%); small quantities appear in the systemic circulation and very small amounts are excreted in urine.
About 90% of an oral dose is absorbed in the small bowel; after absorption it is efficiently extracted from portal blood by the liver (large first-pass effect), conjugated with glycine or taurine and secreted into the hepatic bile ducts. Undergoes enterohepatic circulation; a small proportion is degraded by intestinal bacteria.
Owing to enterohepatic circulation, the drug remains in the biliary compartment during the digestive cycle; the systemic half-life is short, but hepatic and biliary exposure is prolonged.
