Ursodeoxycholic acid
Also sold as: Urso, Ursofalk, Actigall
Prescription neededOther stomach and liver medicines
Comes as:TabletCapsuleSuspension
Usual adult dose
Dose is set by your doctor and is based on body weight (for gallstones usually 8 to 12 mg per kg once a day at bedtime; for some liver diseases 12 to 16 mg per kg a day). Treatment often lasts many months.
Your doctor may give you a different dose. Children's doses depend on weight.
Side effects
Common
- loose stools or diarrhoea
- stomach pain
- nausea
Serious — get help
Stop taking it and see a doctor straight away if you notice:
- severe pain in the upper right abdomen (gallstone problem)
- yellow eyes or skin
- severe itching
Do not take it, or take care, if
- Acute inflammation of the gallbladder or bile ducts
- Blocked bile duct or a gallbladder that does not work
- Calcified gallstones (it does not dissolve them)
- Pregnancy (ask your doctor)
Interactions
Medicines that can react with this one.
Moderate1 medicineTake together only with care. Ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- Aluminium hydroxide + Magnesium hydroxide
Aluminium antacids bind ursodeoxycholic acid; take them at least 2 hours apart.