Urso (Ursodiol) Drug Information: Description, User Reviews, Drug Side Effects, Interactions

Pill Identifier Search

February 8, 2012

Urso

Gallstones »

Gallstones facts

Gallstones are "stones" that form in the gallbladder or bile ducts.

The common types of gallstones are cholesterol, black pigment, and brown pigment.

Cholesterol gallstones occur more frequently in several ethnic groups and are associated with female gender, obesity, pregnancy, oral hormonal therapy, rapid loss of weight, elevated blood triglyceride levels, and Crohn's disease.

Black pigment gallstones occur when there is increased destruction of red blood cells, and brown pigment gallstones occur when there is slow flow and infection of bile.

The majority of gallstones do not cause symptoms.

The most common symptoms of gallstones are biliary colic and cholecystitis. Gallstones do not cause intolerance to fatty foods, belching, abdominal distention, or gas.

Complications of gallstones include cho...

Read the Gallstones article »

« Previous
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
next »

Urso User Reviews >>

Urso

Hepatitis Slideshow Pictures

Digestive Disease Myths Slideshow Pictures

Infectious Mononucleosis Slideshow Pictures

font size

URSO 250® / URSO Forte®
(urso (ursodiol) diol) Tablets

DRUG DESCRIPTION

URSO 250 (urso (ursodiol) diol, 250 mg) is available as a film-coated tablet for oral administration. URSO Forte (urso (ursodiol) diol, 500 mg) is available as a scored film-coated tablet for oral administration. Urso (ursodiol) diol (urso (ursodiol) deoxycholic acid, UDCA) is a naturally occurring bile acid found in small quantities in normal human bile and in larger quantities in the biles of certain species of bears. It is a bitter-tasting white powder consisting of crystalline particles freely soluble in ethanol and glacial acetic acid, slightly soluble in chloroform, sparingly soluble in ether, and practically insoluble in water. The chemical name of urso (ursodiol) diol is 3α,7β-dihydroxy-5β-cholan-24-oic (C₂₄ H₄₀ O₄). Urso (ursodiol) diol has a molecular weight of 392.56. Its structure is shown below.

URSO (ursodiol) Structural Formula Illustration

Inactive ingredients: microcrystalline cellulose, povidone, sodium starch glycolate, magnesium stearate, ethylcellulose, dibutyl sebacate, carnauba wax, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, PEG 3350, PEG 8000, cetyl alcohol, sodium lauryl sulfate and hydrogen peroxide.

What are the possible side effects of ursodiol (Actigall, Urso, Urso Forte)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Other less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:

fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea, constipation;
dizziness, tired feeling;
back pain;
runny or stuffy nose, cold symptoms; or
headache.

Side effects other than those listed...

Read All Potential Side Effects and See Pictures of Urso »

What are the precautions when taking ursodiol (Urso)?

Before taking ursodiol, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other bile acids; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: certain gallbladder/bile duct problems (e.g., acute cholecystitis, cholangitis, biliary obstruction, gallstone pancreatitis, biliary-gastrointestinal fistula).

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: liver disease (e.g., ascites, variceal bleeding, hepatic encephalopathy).

This drug...

Read All Potential Precautions of Urso »

Last reviewed on RxList: 12/28/2009
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.