Ursocol 100 mg (Ursodeoxycholic Acid)

Adult dose

As ursodeoxycholic acid, take 50-100 mg per dose, three times a day.

This medication should not be taken by individuals allergic to specific ingredients. If there is severe biliary obstruction, this medication may worsen symptoms, thus it should be avoided. Patients with acute hepatitis should also avoid this medication as symptoms may worsen. If there are calcified gallstones that are not easily visible on imaging, it is better not to use this medication. Patients without gallbladder function or those with acute cholecystitis should not take this medication. Women who are pregnant, potentially pregnant, or breastfeeding should not take this medication. Children are advised not to take this medication. Patients with kidney disease should exercise caution and consult with a specialist before use. Patients with acute gastric or duodenal ulcers should avoid this medication as it may irritate the mucosa and worsen symptoms. Patients with colitis or ileitis, such as Crohn's disease, should also avoid taking this medication. This medication contains lactose, so patients with lactose intolerance or certain genetic metabolic disorders should not take it. During treatment with this medication, caution should be exercised when taking certain drugs like oral hypoglycemics as the effect may be enhanced. Cholestyramine, colestipol, medicinal carbon, magnesium, and aluminum hydroxide-containing antacids should not be taken as they can impede the absorption of this medication. Using estrogen-containing oral contraceptives or lipid-lowering medications may promote gallstone formation and decrease the effectiveness of this medication. It is advisable to avoid using this medication with drugs that can cause liver damage. Patients with severe pancreatic disease or gallstones in the bile duct should consult with a physician or pharmacist before taking this medication. Also, consult with a specialist if there is esophageal variceal bleeding, hepatic coma, ascites, or a condition requiring urgent liver transplantation. During use, gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, constipation, or heartburn may occur, along with hypersensitivity reactions such as itching or rash. If symptoms like fever, cough, or difficulty breathing occur, it may indicate interstitial pneumonia; instantly stop taking and consult a specialist. Rarely, symptoms like fatigue, dizziness, calcification of gallstones, elevated liver enzymes, or leukopenia may occur; caution is advised. Regular liver function tests should be conducted during treatment, and dosage adjustments or additional tests should be performed as necessary. Elderly patients typically have diminished bodily functions, so appropriate dosage adjustments may be needed during use. Dissolution therapy for gallstones usually takes about 6 months to 2 years, so undergoing imaging checks every 6 months to confirm treatment effectiveness is recommended.

Serious side effects

Fever, cough, difficulty breathing, and interstitial pneumonia accompanied by abnormal chest X-rays

Mild side effects

Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, constipation, heartburn, discomfort in the upper abdomen, itching, rash, general fatigue, dizziness, calcification of gallstones, increased liver enzyme levels (ALT, ALP, AST, γ-GT), leukopenia

Drug interactions

This medication may interact with oral hypoglycemics (such as tolbutamide), cholestyramine, colestipol, medicinal carbon, magnesium, and aluminum hydroxide-containing antacids. Do not take with medications that increase cholesterol secretion into bile, such as estrogen-containing oral contraceptives or lipid-lowering agents like clofibrate. It is also advisable to avoid taking this medication with drugs that can harm the liver.

This medication may be sensitive to air or moisture, so it should be stored in a sealed container. It is best to maintain storage temperatures between 1 and 30 degrees Celsius to preserve the medication's effectiveness over time.

Appearance

White circular tablets

Package unit

Bottle packaging - 30 tablets/bottle, Bottle packaging - 300 tablets/bottle