Has your doctor told you that you have gallstones? You may have already started taking this medicine called Ursodiol. The name may sound a little strange. What is this medicine? What does it actually do? What should you be careful about when using it? Don't worry, we'll talk about all this in a simple way today.
What kind of medicine is Ursodiol?
Simply put, Ursodiol is a medication that helps prevent certain types of stones from forming in your gallbladder and dissolve stones that have already formed.
Think about it, cholesterol, which is produced in our body, is the main reason for the formation of some gallstones. This Ursodiol medicine performs two main functions:
1. It stops the liver from producing cholesterol.
2. Cholesterol stones already in the gallbladder are gradually dissolved.
Doctors recommend this medicine not only for gallstones, but also for the treatment of certain liver conditions (for example, Primary Biliary Cholangitis - PBC).
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting medication
Before starting Ursodiol, it is very important that your doctor has a complete picture of your health. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions:
| Your situation | Why is that important? |
|---|---|
| Having a blocked bile duct or fistula | In such a situation, the way Ursodiol works may be affected, and a different treatment may be needed. |
| Having pancreatitis | It is important for the doctor to be aware of this medication, as it may alter symptoms. |
| Allergies to Ursodiol, other medicines, foods or preservatives | If you have an allergy, this medicine may cause a serious reaction. Therefore, it is essential to inform about it in advance. |
| Being pregnant or trying to get pregnant | Any medication should be used with extreme caution during pregnancy, so inform your doctor about your condition. |
| Breastfeeding the baby | This information is important for the doctor to determine whether or not the medication will pass to the baby through breast milk. |
How exactly do I use this medicine?
To get the maximum results from a medication, it is very important to use it correctly.
- Take this medicine with a glass of water .
- Try to take your medicine at the same time every day , as prescribed by your doctor. Once you make this a habit, you'll be less likely to forget.
- Continue to use the medicine until your doctor tells you to stop.
- Do not take this with antacids for gastritis . Take Ursodiol one hour before or two hours after taking the antacid. This is very important.
- If you are giving this medicine to children, it may require special care. Talk to your doctor about this.
What to do if you accidentally take too much medicine?
If such a thing happens, do not panic and immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
What if I miss a dose of medication?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the same time. Never take two doses at once.
Other medications that may interact with this medicine
Some other medications you are taking can affect the way Ursodiol works. Therefore, it is very important to tell your doctor about all medications you are taking, including vitamins and herbal remedies.
- Antacids (medicines used for gastritis): These reduce the absorption of Ursodiol.
- Cholestyramine, Colestipol, Colesevelam: These are also medications used to treat cholesterol. They bind to the drug Ursodiol and reduce its effectiveness.
- Clofibrate, fenofibrate, or gemfibrozil: These are also medications used to lower cholesterol and triglycerides. They can increase cholesterol secretion from the gallbladder and reduce the effects of ursodiol.
- Estrogen or Progestin hormones (birth control pills, hormone therapy): These hormones can increase cholesterol in the gallbladder. This may reduce the effectiveness of Ursodiol.
Things to be careful about when taking medicine
This is not a medicine that will give results in a day or two. You may have to use it continuously for months, maybe even more than a year . Therefore, it is important to be patient with the treatment.
- Regular medical check-ups: The doctor will schedule a follow-up appointment. At that time, he or she may perform an ultrasound scan to see if the gallstones have dissolved and if the liver is improving.
- Blood tests: You will also need to have blood tests to check if your liver is functioning properly while taking the medication.
- Pay attention to symptoms: If stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting persist or become worse than before, tell your doctor.
What are the possible side effects of the medication?
Like any medicine, Ursodiol can cause some side effects, although not everybody gets them.
| Things to report to your doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergic Reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling (especially of the face, lips, tongue, or throat). If this happens, it is an emergency. |
| It is usually common, but if it persists, you should tell your doctor. | |
| Stomach ache, bloating | Feeling of discomfort in the stomach. |
| Diarrhea or constipation | One of these two things could happen. If it persists, tell your doctor . |
| Headache | A common headache. |
| Nausea | Feeling like vomiting. |
| Hair loss | This may happen slightly. |
How do you store and dispose of medication?
- Keep the medicine out of the reach of children and pets .
- Store at room temperature (between 15 and 30 degrees Celsius). Keep away from excessive heat and moisture.
- Do not use expired medicine .
Medication take-back programs are not very common in our country. Therefore, before throwing expired or unused medications in the trash, ask your doctor to make sure it is safe to throw them away. If you can, take the pills out of the packet, mix them with used tea leaves, coffee grounds, a little soil, or cat litter, and put them in a tightly sealed bag and throw them in the trash.
Take-Home Message
- Ursodiol is a medication used to dissolve gallstones, mainly caused by cholesterol, and for some liver diseases.
- Before starting the medication, tell your doctor about all other medical conditions you have and all other medications you are taking.
- Take the medicine at the right time, in the right dosage. Do not take it together with gastritis medicine (antacids).
- This treatment takes time to show results. So be patient and follow your doctor's instructions.
- If you experience any serious allergic symptoms such as skin rash, itching, or facial swelling, seek medical advice immediately.
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