Ursodeoxycholic Acid

2 medicines

Ursodeoxycholic acid is a bile acid used to dissolve certain gallstones and to treat primary biliary cholangitis and other forms of cholestasis. It only works on non-calcified stones in a functioning gallbladder, and liver function needs regular monitoring.

Actigall

Ursodeoxycholic acid

300mg

Actigall is a digestive health medication containing Ursodeoxycholic acid, available as 300mg tablets.

from $2.44 / tablet View

Urso

Ursodeoxycholic acid

150/300mg

Urso is a digestive health medication containing Ursodeoxycholic acid, available as 150/300mg tablets.

from $1.07 / tablet View

Key facts

  • Ursodeoxycholic acid is a naturally occurring bile acid used to dissolve certain gallstones and to treat primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), a chronic disease that damages the small bile ducts in the liver.
  • For gallstones, it's taken as tablets for months. It only works on small, cholesterol-based stones in a gallbladder that still works normally, which your doctor confirms with imaging before starting.
  • Your doctor checks liver function tests periodically, especially during the first months of PBC treatment, to see how well the medicine is working and to catch any problems early.
  • Seek urgent care for yellowing of the skin or eyes, severe abdominal pain, or dark urine, which can signal worsening liver or bile-duct disease.

What ursodeoxycholic acid treats

Ursodeoxycholic acid treats cholesterol gallstones when surgery isn't suitable or is being delayed, primary biliary cholangitis, and other conditions where bile flow from the liver is reduced (cholestasis).

How ursodeoxycholic acid works

Ursodeoxycholic acid changes the make-up of bile, making it less concentrated in cholesterol and less irritating to liver cells. This helps dissolve cholesterol gallstones over time and reduces the ongoing injury that abnormal bile causes to liver cells in cholestatic conditions like PBC.

Before you take it

  • It is not suitable for calcified gallstones, acute inflammation of the gallbladder, or a gallbladder that no longer contracts normally.
  • Tell your prescriber about advanced cirrhosis or other significant liver disease before starting.
  • If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, discuss the risks and benefits with your prescriber, since safety data are limited.

Side effects

Common effects include diarrhoea, nausea, and mild stomach upset.

Stop and seek urgent medical care for any of these:

  • Severe abdominal pain that does not go away.
  • Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice).
  • Dark urine, or unusual bruising or bleeding.

Safety essentials

  • Gallstones can come back after you stop treatment, so your doctor may recheck with imaging periodically during and after therapy.
  • Treatment for primary biliary cholangitis is long term and needs regular liver blood tests to track your response; tell your doctor about any new or worsening symptoms.
  • Report jaundice or worsening abdominal pain promptly. These can mean the underlying liver disease is progressing despite treatment, and your plan may need to change.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.