Ursodeoxycholic Acid: Uses,Dosage,Side Effects

Generic Name
Ursodeoxycholic Acid
Therapeutic Class: Bile Acid

Indications:
  • Dissolution of small to medium-sized radiolucent, noncalcified gall bladder stones in functioning gall bladders
  • Prevention of gallstone formation in obese patients experiencing rapid weight loss
  • Primary biliary cirrhosis
Presentation:
Ursodeoxycholic Acid 150 Tablet: Each film-coated tablet contains Ursodeoxycholic Acid BP 150 mg.
Ursodeoxycholic Acid 300 Tablet: Each film-coated tablet contains Ursodeoxycholic Acid BP 300 mg

Description:
Ursodeoxycholic Acid is a naturally occurring bile acid used to treat different hepatobiliary disorders. It decreases the secretion of cholesterol in different ways in the bile:

Ursodeoxycholic Acid reduces cholesterol absorption and suppresses liver cholesterol synthesis. But it does not inhibit bile acid synthesis

Dosage & Administration:
For adults & elderly:
Dissolution of gallstone: 8 - 10 mg/kg/day given in 2 or 3 divided doses.
Prevention of gallstone formation: 300 mg twice daily.
Primary biliary cirrhosis: 13 - 15 mg/kg/day in 2 to 4 divided doses with food.

Side Effects:
This drug may give rise to nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headache, dyspepsia, diarrhea,
abdominal pain and pruritus.

Precautions:
Excessive dietary intake of calories and cholesterol should be avoided. Liver function tests
and bilirubin levels should be monitored every month for three months after the start of
therapy, and every six months thereafter

Use in Pregnancy & Lactation:
Pregnancy category B. There is no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant and
lactating women. This drug should be used only if the benefit outweighs the risk. It is not
known whether Ursodeoxycholic Acid is excreted in human milk. So, caution should be
exercised when it is administered to a lactating mother

Interaction:
This drug should not be administered with an oral contraceptive, oestrogenic hormones, and
other drugs which reduce the blood cholesterol level and increase the bile cholesterol
level. Concomitant administration with bile acid-binding drugs including antacids, charcoal, and cholestyramine should be avoided. Since this may reduce the effectiveness of the
therapy with Ursodeoxycholic Acid.

Overdose:
It is unlikely that overdose will cause serious side effects. Diarrhea may occur and it is
recommended that liver function test to be monitored
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