Generic Actigall – Ursodiol (ursodeoxycholic)

Generic Actigall
Generic Actigall - Ursodiol
Generic Actigall (Ursodiol) is a natural minor component of bile acids. It is used to treat patients with acute and chronic liver diseases and for dissolving cholesterol stones. Additionally, it can be prescribed in such health disorders treatment as gastritis with bile reflux, uncompensated liver cirrhosis, biliary obstruction, acute inflammation of the gallbladder and other.
Active Ingredient: Ursodiol (ursodeoxycholic)
Dosage Form: Tablet
Dosage: 150 mg; 300 mg
Minimum Market Price: 1.1

General information

Among all the pathology, which is recorded in modern medical practice, liver disease takes a special place. The liver is one of the most important organs performing several functions.

The most important is the antitoxic function, in which the liver neutralizes harmful impact of substances penetrating the body. The work of this organ may be disturbed over time, leading to liver failure, jaundice and some other manifestations.

To date, there are many medications that contribute to the normalization of liver function.

The same could be said about gallstone disease, the fighting with which becomes for many the most real ordeal. Many physicians choose one of the following methods: expectant tactics, non-surgical treatment and surgical treatment, which aims at gallbladder removal.

A gallstone disease treatment plan will depend on how its symptoms affect one’s everyday life. If there are no symptoms, it is usually recommended to perform active surveillance. It means that the patient will not be given immediate care, but in case of any symptoms manifestation the patient should notify the doctor as soon possible.

The patient may need medication in case if there are medical conditions increasing the risk of such complications development as:

  • liver scars (hepatic cirrhosis)
  • hepatic portal hypertension, which often resulted by alcohol-induced liver injury
  • diabetes mellitus

In case when the patient does not want or unable undergo surgery procedure, the physician may advise one of many non-invasive techniques. Although these methods can destroy stones that cause symptoms, they cannot prevent the appearance of new stones, and usually the disease may return.

As it was already mentioned the gallstone disease can be treated with pills. For example, such medication as Actigall is produced in the form of tablets. The dissolution or elimination of the gallstone may take several months or even years, which depend on the size of those stones, and often people still have to take this medicine.

The active ingredient of this medication is ursodeoxycholic acid, which:

  • reduces the absorption of biliary acids, cholesterol by alimentary tube;
  • stimulates the bile acids removal;
  • reduces cholesterol synthesis, dissolves cholesterol stones, prevents their new production;
  • exhibits a hypoglycemic effect.

The treatment course with Actigall (Ursodiol) ranges from 6 months to 2 years. This product must be taken regularly, without breaks.

How long does it take for this medicine to take effect?

The onset of action for ursodiol can vary depending on the condition being treated. For gallstones, it may take several months of treatment before gallstones start to dissolve. For primary biliary cirrhosis, improvements in liver function tests may be observed within 1 to 3 months of starting treatment.

How long do the effects of this medicine last?

The duration of the effects of ursodiol is closely tied to the duration of therapy. For gallstone dissolution, treatment may need to be continued for months or even years, and gallstones may recur if the treatment is stopped. In the management of primary biliary cirrhosis, continuous treatment is often necessary to maintain its therapeutic benefits.

Is it safe to consume alcohol while taking this medicine?

While there is no direct interaction between ursodiol and alcohol, patients with liver disease, such as those being treated for primary biliary cirrhosis, are generally advised to avoid alcohol to prevent further liver damage. Patients should consult with their healthcare provider regarding alcohol consumption.

Is this a habit forming medicine?

Ursodiol is not habit-forming and does not have the potential for abuse or dependence. It is used for specific therapeutic purposes related to liver and gallbladder health.

Can this medicine be taken during pregnancy?

Ursodiol is classified as FDA Pregnancy Category B, indicating that animal studies have not demonstrated a risk to the fetus, but there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Ursodiol should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed and after careful consideration of the benefits and risks.

Can this medicine be taken while breast-feeding?

Ursodiol is excreted into breast milk in small amounts. While there are limited data on the effects of ursodiol on a nursing infant, the medication is considered relatively safe to use during breastfeeding. However, it is always best to consult with a healthcare provider to weigh the potential benefits and risks of using ursodiol while breastfeeding.

Precautions

The discussed medication is contraindicated if the patient has severe allergy to the main or to any of the auxiliary components. Although taking Actigall is considered relatively safe, this treatment is not suitable for all people. Therefore, only the attending physician can prescribe therapy and dosages. In some cases, the patient is strictly indicated alternative treatment.

Therapy is unacceptable for persons suffering from decompensated stage of cirrhosis or liver failure. Fistulas in the liver are also considered as a serious contraindication to the use of this therapy. The reason to look for another method of treatment is individual intolerance to the substance.

Take Generic Actigall – Ursodiol is necessary strictly in accordance with the instructions and recommendations of a specialist. Otherwise there is a risk of suffering from a number of unpleasant adverse reactions. These include nausea and vomiting.

As for the gastrointestinal tract there is possible diarrhea or constipation. In the area of the right hypochondrium there can be spasms. Sometimes there can be pain in the back and lower back.

If there are signs of a malfunction of the substance, it is necessary to immediately stop the therapy. The recovery of the body is impossible without emergency medical care.

Ursodiol Dosage

Usually it is recommended to take 500 mg of ursodeoxycholic acid in case when weight is up to 60 kg, when weight is 61-80 kg it is taken 750 mg, when weight is 81 to 100 kg then it should be taken 1000 mg, and if weight is over 100 kg it should be taken 1250 mg washing down with plenty of water.

Biliary reflux gastritis is treated with 250 mg of ursodeoxycholic acid per day during 10-14 days. The dose and duration of treatment can be increased by the decision of the doctor.

How to take Ursodiol?

The pill is taken orally, before going to bed. The dosage is calculated individually, at the rate of 10 mg per 1 kg of patient weight.
Do not skip the drug.

For the dissolution of gallstones, it is usually required to take the substance during half a year or a 1 year, depending on the size of the stones.

If in 12 months the sizes of the stones do not change, the treatment with this medication should be terminated.
The patient should consult with a physician if the symptoms of the disease do not disappear during the use of the drug or if adverse reactions are observed that are not indicated in the instructions for the drug use.

Ursodiol Side-effects

The use of this drug can cause adverse reactions, in particular, such as:

  • pasty stools, diarrhea or constipation;
  • pain in the right hypochondrium;
  • calcification of gallstones (extremely rare);
  • urticaria, pruritus, rash;
  • nausea, vomiting, angioedema, bronchospasm;
  • peripheral edema, shortness of breath, headache;

Side effects include allergic skin rashes and baldness. All this can be triggered by enzyme activity increase in liver or by external matters.

If side effects occur, the patient should immediately discontinue use of the substance; symptomatic therapy should be undertaken, as well as seek for medical consult and treatment regimen adjustment.

Overdose

In case of overdose diarrhea may occur. At the same time, it should be said that overdose is unlikely, since the absorption of ursodeoxycholic acid decreases with increasing dose and it is mainly eliminated with feces.

However, in case of diarrhea, the dose should be reduced, and if diarrhea continues, you must stop using the pill.

Interactions

Bile acid sequestrants such as cholestyramine and colestipol may interfere with the action of Ursodiol by reducing the absorption level of the latter.

Antacids containing aluminum and smectite, can interfere with the action of Ursodiol also by reducing the level of absorption of the latter.

Ursodiol can increase the absorption of cyclosporine from the intestine. Therefore, in patients receiving cyclosporine, it is necessary to check the concentration of cyclosporine in the blood and adjust the dose of cyclosporine if necessary.

In some cases, Ursodiol may reduce the absorption of ciprofloxacin 500.

Alcohol interaction

Ursodiol is prescribed for the treatment of alcoholic liver diseases, provided that it is completely abandoned by alcohol, following a sparing diet. In violation of the ban on alcohol and diet, the disease progresses, cirrhosis develops, in which the functions of this organ are violated, resulting in hepatocytes death.

Changes occur gradually, in the early stages of cirrhosis there are no marked pain symptoms. The pain in the right hypochondrium, weakness, nausea, bitterness in the mouth can appear at the stage of decompensation of cirrhosis, when most of the hepatocytes are destroyed.

Everyone knows that taking treatment and drinking alcohol at the same time is inappropriate. Alcohol, like ursodeoxycholic acid, affects liver tissue to a greater extent. This suggests that alcohol can interfere with the effectiveness of the medication. To treat the liver and immediately poison it with toxic metabolites of ethyl alcohol is impractical. It is also important that alcohol can increase the side effects of the pill. In such a situation, severe pain in the right hypochondrium, increased activity of hepatic enzymes may appear.

In order to make recommendations on excluding the joint use of drugs and alcohol, it is necessary to know the mechanism of the effect of ethyl alcohol on the liver tissue. The share of alcoholic organ damage in the total mass of all liver diseases is about 30-40%. It is very big figure.

The number of alcohol-related liver diseases increases every year. At the same time, citizens of developed countries are more affected, where alcoholic beverages are widely distributed and available to everyone.

  • Alcohol greatly increases the risk of mortality from liver disease and reduces the lifespan of hepatocytes.
  • Refusing to drink can stop the process and improve the condition.
  • Liver and biliary tract lesion is a serious pathology requiring timely and effective therapy.

Doctor's recommendations include a complete waiver of alcohol at the time of therapy and for some time afterwards. With the development of liver failure and cirrhosis, many drugs become ineffective.

Ursodiol Reviews

Theresa: A year ago, I was diagnosed with biliary dyskinesia. The doctor recommended that I take pills Ursodiol before going to bed. At the beginning of the treatment, I had some side effects, but they soon passed. Now I continue treatment. Blood test results improved markedly.

Chloe: Some time ago I suffered from severe migraines, and I used to take painkillers every day. With the use of analgesics, I destroyed my liver, and soon I was diagnosed with fatty liver. Thank God, at the moment the condition of my liver is more or less good, tests are normal. That was results of treatment course during which I had to take Actigall for a long time.
In total, I took Actigall for three months. During this time, a blood test in many parameters was fixed on values valid for people with rather healthy liver. Moreover my general state of health also improved: the whites of the eyes brightened (they were yellow before taking the medicine for the liver), and the skin itchiness disappeared. So Actigall is a really working drug!!

Mike: Three years ago I was diagnosed with cholelithiasis. I did not notice the symptoms immedicately. At first it began to ache in my right side, the pains eventually intensified so much that I could neither sit, nor lie, nor stand. So I learned what an attack of gallstones is.
In the hospital I was offered two treatment options: surgery or medication.

I decided to start by taking pills. It was Actigall. The dosage is calculated based on weight. I took this remedy for a long time. The purpose of the drug was the dissolution and removal of stones from the gallbladder.

In general, I took this drug for about six months. Finally I escaped surgery. Now I eat right, regularly do ultrasound of the gallbladder, and consult a doctor.

Alex: Half a year ago, I got strong pain under the right rib. I took a painkiller. Two hours later, the pain did not stop. Ultrasound showed that there are stones in the gallbladder. Since the stones were small, the doctor suggested postponing the operation and starting conservative treatment with the drug Ursodiol. I took two pills a day – in the morning and in the evening. Two months later I went to the control ultrasound and I was very pleased with the result. There were no stones. They have dissolved. I am very pleased with the result. The doctor recommended taking pills for another four months. I am very pleased with the result!

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Minimum Market Price
$1.1