ursodiol

(ER so dye all)
Actigall, Urso

What is the most important information I should know about ursodiol?

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Do not take over-the-counter antacids that contain aluminum, such as Rolaids, Maalox, Mylanta, and many others, unless your doctor approves. Aluminum may decrease the effects of this medication.

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For patients treating gallstones, you may have to take ursodiol for quite a long period of time before your gallstones are dissolved. Do not stop taking ursodiol without first talking to your doctor.

What is ursodiol?

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Ursodiol decreases the amount of cholesterol in bile and bile stones by reducing the amount of cholesterol the liver produces. Ursodiol reduces the amount of cholesterol that is absorbed from food and increases the breakdown of cholesterol, especially cholesterol that has formed into stones in the gallbladder. Ursodiol also changes the make-up of the bile acid pool, creating an increase in bile flow in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis.

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Ursodiol is used to treat small, noncalcified gallbladder stones in people who cannot undergo surgery, to prevent gallstone formation in obese patients who are undergoing rapid weight loss, and to treat people with primary biliary cirrhosis.

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Ursodiol is not used to treat gallstones that are calcified.

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Ursodiol may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking ursodiol?

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Before taking ursodiol, tell your doctor if you have

cholecystitis;

biliary obstruction;

gallstone pancreatitis; or

biliary-gastrointestinal fistula.

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You may not be able to take ursodiol if you have any of the conditions listed above.

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Tell your doctor about any other medical conditions that you have, especially heart, liver, or kidney disease.

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Ursodiol is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Do not, however, take ursodiol without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or are planning a pregnancy.

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It is not known whether ursodiol passes into breast milk. Do not take ursodiol without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take ursodiol?

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Take ursodiol exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

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Take each dose with a full glass of water. The medication can be taken with meals unless your doctor tells you otherwise.

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For patients treating gallstones, you may have to take ursodiol for quite a long period of time before your gallstones are dissolved. Do not stop taking ursodiol without first talking to your doctor.

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It is important to take ursodiol regularly to get the most benefit.

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Store ursodiol at room temperature away from heat and moisture.

What happens if I miss a dose?

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Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose.

What happens if I overdose?

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Seek emergency medical attention.

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Symptoms of an ursodiol overdose are unknown, but diarrhea may be expected.

What should I avoid while taking ursodiol?

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Do not take over-the-counter antacids that contain aluminum, such as Rolaids, Maalox, Mylanta, and many others, unless your doctor approves. Aluminum may decrease the effects of this medication.

What are the possible side effects of ursodiol?

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Stop taking ursodiol and seek emergency medical attention if you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives).

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Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take ursodiol and talk to your doctor if you experience

nausea or upset stomach,

diarrhea, or

headache.

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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.

What other drugs will affect ursodiol?

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Cholestyramine (Questran), colestipol (Colestid), and aluminum-containing antacids such as Rolaids, Mylanta, Maalox, and many others may decrease the amount of ursodiol that is absorbed into your body. Do not take these drugs while you are taking ursodiol.

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Other drugs, such as birth control pills, estrogens, and clofibrate (Atromid-S), may increase the amount of cholesterol in your body and therefore decrease the effects of ursodiol.

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Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with ursodiol. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

Where can I get more information?

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Your pharmacist has more information about ursodiol written for health professionals that you may read.

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Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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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.