Ursodeoxycholic Acid Pharmacology

Ursodeoxycholic Acid

About Ursodeoxycholic Acid
Gallstone Dissolution Agent, a bile acid, Prophylaxis and treatment of gall stones, chronic hepatitis, liver transplant rejection.
Mechanism of Action of Ursodeoxycholic Acid
Ursodeoxycholic acid is a bile acid. Normally there is a balance between cholesterol and bile acids in the liver. When there is an excess in cholesterol level, cholesterols are separated out from bile and form stones. Ursodeoxycholic acid is a bile acid itself, it increase the level of bile acids within the bile. It also reduces the synthesis and release of cholesterol from liver and also reduces the absorption of cholesterol from the gut. All these reverse the imbalance and prevent the separation of cholesterol from the bile acids and the bile acids also help to dissolve gall stones.
Pharmacokinets of Ursodeoxycholic Acid
Absorption: Ursodeoxycholic acid is incompletely absorbed after oral administration. Absorbed drugs undergo hepatic extraction.
Distribution: It is mainly concentrated in the liver and undergoes enterohepatic circulation.
Metabolism: In the liver it undergoes conjugation with glycine or taurine.
Excretion: It is excreted mainly in the bile.
Onset of Action for Ursodeoxycholic Acid
Within 30 minutes
Duration of Action for Ursodeoxycholic Acid
12 hours
Half Life of Ursodeoxycholic Acid
N/A
Side Effects of Ursodeoxycholic Acid
1. Nausea
2. Vomiting
3. Abdominal cramps
4. Pruritis
5. Anorexia
6. Indigestion
7. Diarrhoea
Contra-indications of Ursodeoxycholic Acid
1. Hypersensitivity to Ursodeoxycholic acid
2. Radio opaque gall stones
3. Ulcerative colitis
4. Peptic ulcer
5. Non emptying gall bladder
6. Pancreatitis
7. Cholecystitis
8. Hepatic impairment
9. Atherosclerosis
10.Crohn`s disease
Special Precautions while taking Ursodeoxycholic Acid
1. Hepatic encephalopathy
Pregnancy Related Information
Contraindicated
Old Age Related Information
Use with caution
Breast Feeding Related Information
Contraindicated
Children Related Information
Contraindicated
NEONATES : Contraindicated
Indications for Ursodeoxycholic Acid
1. Primary Biliary cirrhosis
2. Gall stone disease
3. Chronic hepatitis
4. Cystic fibrosis
Interactions for Ursodeoxycholic Acid
Cholestyramine, colestipol & aluminium antacids: Reduce the efficacy of chenodeoxycholic acid.
Oral contraceptives: Oestrogen preprations may reduce the efficacy of chenodeoxycholic acid.
Typical Dosage for Ursodeoxycholic Acid
Adult: 10 - 15 mg / kg body weight / day in 2 divided doses. Continue the treatment 3 - 4 more months after dissolution of stones.
Schedule of Ursodeoxycholic Acid
N/A
Storage Requirements for Ursodeoxycholic Acid
Store at 20-25 degree C in a tightly closed container. Protect from direct light and moisture. Keep out of the reach of children.
Effects of Missed Dosage of Ursodeoxycholic Acid
Take the missed dose as soon as noticed and if it is the time for next dose then skip the missed dose. Continue the regular schedule. Do not double the dose.
Effects of Overdose of Ursodeoxycholic Acid
Give supportive measures and symptomatic treatment.

Home Delivery for Ursodeoxycholic Acid in Your City

Medicine India is just a publishing medium for medicine related information and does not provide services or sales of medicines including ursodeoxycholic acid.

However, we do publish a comprehensive directory of Pharmacies, Chemists and Druggists in cities all over India. You can use this directory to find the medicine stores in your city (or area) that provide home delivery services for ursodeoxycholic acid and other medicines and health products. Home delivery services for ursodeoxycholic acid may be free or they may cost you depending on the pharmacy and the minimum order requirements. It would be best to get this clarified while placing the order.

Please be aware that you should take ursodeoxycholic acid only if a doctor has recommended or prescribed it. Some or all pharmacies who provide a home delivery service for medicines might insist on a prescription for ursodeoxycholic acid before they complete the sale. You can get this information while placing the order for ursodeoxycholic acid with the pharmacy.

Ursodeoxycholic Acid is a generic medicine name and there are several brands available for it. Some of the brands for ursodeoxycholic acid might be better known than ursodeoxycholic acid itself. If the pharmacy that's willing to deliver medicines to your home doesn't have ursodeoxycholic acid in stock, you can ask for one of the branded alternatives for ursodeoxycholic acid.