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URSODEOXYCHOLIC ACID

Additional information interactions (Ursodeoxycholic Acid).

Indications

see under Dose and under preparations

Cautions

see Drugs aff. bil. comp & flow cautions; in primary biliary cirrhosis, monitor liver function every 4 weeks for 3 months, then every 3 months; interactions: Appendix 1 (bile acids)

Contra-indications

radio-opaque stones, non-functioning gall bladder, acute inflammation of the gall bladder, frequent episodes of biliary colic, inflammatory diseases and other conditions of the small intestine, colon and liver which interfere with entero-hepatic circulation of bile salts

Hepatic impairment

avoid in chronic liver disease (but used in primary biliary cirrhosis)

Pregnancy

no evidence of harm but manufacturer advises avoid

Breast-feeding

not known to be harmful but manufacturer advises avoid

Side-effects

diarrhoea; very rarely abdominal pain, gallstone calcification, urticaria; also reported nausea, vomiting, pruritus

Dose

  • Dissolution of gallstones, 8–12 mg/kg daily as a single dose at bedtime or in two divided doses, for up to 2 years; treatment is continued for 3–4 months after stones dissolve

  • Primary biliary cirrhosis, see under Ursofalk®

Sub-sections

  • Ursodeoxycholic Acid
    (Non-proprietary)
    Prescription only medicine

    Tablets, ursodeoxycholic acid 150 mg, net price 60-tab pack = £18.31. Label: 21

    Capsules, ursodeoxycholic acid 250 mg, net price 60-cap pack = £34.73. Label: 21

  • Destolit®
    (Norgine)
    Prescription only medicine

    Tablets, scored, ursodeoxycholic acid 150 mg, net price 60-tab pack = £17.67. Label: 21

  • Urdox®
    (Wockhardt)
    Prescription only medicine

    Tablets, f/c, ursodeoxycholic acid 300 mg, net price 60-tab pack = £26.50. Label: 21

  • Ursofalk®
    (Dr Falk)
    Prescription only medicine

    Capsules, ursodeoxycholic acid 250 mg, net price 60-cap pack = £30.17, 100-cap pack = £31.88. Label: 21

    Suspension, sugar-free, ursodeoxycholic acid 250 mg/5 mL, net price 250 mL = £26.98. Label: 21

    Dose primary biliary cirrhosis, 10–15 mg/kg daily as a single daily dose or in 2–4 divided doses

    Dissolution of gallstones, see Dose, above

  • Ursogal®
    (Galen)
    Prescription only medicine

    Tablets, scored, ursodeoxycholic acid 150 mg, net price 60-tab pack = £17.05. Label: 21

    Capsules, ursodeoxycholic acid 250 mg, net price 60-cap pack = £30.50. Label: 21