Keywords

Primary Biliary Cirrhosis

Ursodiol (UCDA)

Brand names: URSO Forte, Actigall

Manufacturer: Generic; URSO Forte-Axcan Pharma; Actigall-Watson Pharmaceuticals

Dosage:

  • Primary biliary cirrhosis: 13–15 mg/kg po qd

  • Primary sclerosing cholangitis: ~20 mg/kg po qd (do NOT use doses >28 mg/kg po qd)

  • Autoimmune hepatitis: Use with the initial therapy to induce remission as well as during continuation phase: 10 mg/kg po qd

Contraindications/cautions:

  • Hypersensitivity to drug or bile acids

  • Gallstones: Calcified cholesterol, radiopaque stones, radiolucent bile pigment stones

  • Unremitting acute cholecystitis

  • Acute cholangitis

  • Biliary obstruction

Adverse effects :

  • Gastrointestinal: Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting

  • Musculoskeletal: Backache

Drug interactions:

  • Concomitant fibric acid derivatives, oral contraceptives, bile acid binding resins and antacids may decrease ursodiol efficacy

Pregnancy category: B

Lactation: Safety unknown

Relative cost: $$$ (generic available: $$–$$$)

Primary sclerosing cholangitis

UDCA

See above.