Ursodiol (Systemic)

Brand Names : Actigall, URSO 250, URSO, Ursofalk, ursodeoxycholic acid, UDCA

Category

• Anticholelithic

Description

Ursodiol (ur-so-DYE-ole) is used in the treatment of gallstone disease. It is taken by mouth to dissolve the gallstones.

Ursodiol is used in patients with gallstones who do not need to have their gallbladders removed or in those in whom surgery should be avoided because of other medical problems. However, ursodiol works only in those patients whose gallstones are made of cholesterol and works best when these stones are small and of the �floating� type.

Ursodiol is also used to help prevent gallstones in patients who are on rapid weight-loss programs.

Ursodiol is also used in patients with cirrhosis of the liver. Cirrhosis causes a patient's liver to have problems and not work properly.

Ursodiol is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage form:

Oral
• Capsules (U.S. and Canada)
• Tablets (U.S. and Canada)

Brand Names

Some commonly used brand names are:

In the U.S. -

• Actigall
• URSO 250

In Canada -

• URSO
• Ursofalk

Other commonly used names are ursodeoxycholic acid and UDCA .