Ursodiol Side Effects
While there are a few known side effects of ursodiol, the majority of people who take it don’t experience them.[1] Ursodiol should be reported if any of the following occur:
Ursodiol causes bile ducts to get backed up in liver
If you are taking ursodiol, you should be aware that it can cause bile ducts to become backed up in the liver. When bile ducts become blocked, it can lead to liver damage. Because bile helps your body to digest food, a backed-up duct can lead to scarring.[2]
Ursodiol is a minor constituent of bile acids, making up only about half of the total amount of bile acid in the liver. Ursodiol passes into the colon, where it undergoes 7-dehydroxylation to form lithocholic acid. The liver resorbs this substance, but a small amount is reabsorbed and excreted in the urine. The rest is metabolized to bile acids in the liver.
If the blocked bile ducts are causing the bile to back up, you may need treatment. Your doctor may recommend ursodiol to prevent new stones from forming, but it will do nothing to cure your existing stones. Another treatment option is a surgical procedure called a cholecystectomy. A gallbladder has a limited function: to store bile. However, after the surgery, the liver continues to produce bile.
Ursodiol is a nontoxic bile acid that can replace toxins in the liver. In addition to reducing blood bilirubin and enzyme levels, ursodiol is also used to treat cirrhosis. It reduces the need for a liver transplant in people who are at high risk of developing it.
However, there are no studies that show that ursodiol can cause birth defects. Until now, the drug has not been tested on pregnant women. It has not been tested on children, and animal studies may not be predictive of human response. As a result, there is still uncertainty regarding the safety of ursodiol.[3]
Ursodeoxycholic acid crosses into human milk
Ursodeoxycholic acid, also known as ursodiol, is a bile-acid precursor that is found in bears and pigs. It is also a cholagogue, regulating cholesterol levels and breaking down micelles in bile. It is also used in the treatment of biliary cirrhosis.[4]
While ursodiol has never been reported to induce lactation, it is highly unlikely to reach breast milk even at relatively high concentrations. It is also tightly bound to albumin, making its presence unlikely to cause adverse effects in an infant. However, ursodeoxycholic acid has been used in human studies and is approved for use in cholestasis. However, it is important to note that UDCA has not been tested in pregnant women or newborn infants, and there is still no way to know whether or not it will affect their child.
The safest dosage is one that is recommended for women with normal liver function. However, it should not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women, as it may cause gastrointestinal problems. It may also cause diarrhea, pasty stools, diarrheic, and severe right upper abdominal pain. Moreover, it may lead to gallstone calcification, which may result in surgery.
Ursodeoxycholic acid increases bile flow in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis
A cholangiocarcinoma of the biliary tree can be diagnosed only after a liver biopsy. Other tests used to diagnose cholestatic liver disease include endoscopic brush cytology, serum markers CEA and CA19-9, and computer tomography. The sensitivity of these tests is low, so patients with this condition should undergo additional testing.[5]
Patients with PSC may benefit from ursodeoxycholic acid, a treatment for cholestatic liver disease. The treatment may improve laboratory values and prolong the time until liver failure is reached. However, UDCA is not a cure for PSC; standard doses of UDCA are ineffective in PSC. One study compared a high dose of UDCA to a placebo in 26 patients with PSC.
UDCA is an orally administered agent with a number of known side effects. However, UDCA is an effective treatment for cholestatic hepatitis and has been used successfully in several clinical trials. It improves liver biochemistry, slows the progression of liver fibrosis, and has been shown to delay histological progression in patients with early-stage PBC.
Ursodeoxycholic acid has been shown to increase bile flow in patients with primary esophageal cirrhosis. However, the clinical benefits of UDCA may be minimal. In addition to increasing bile flow, this treatment has been proven to decrease the risk of liver failure. It also reduces the need for liver transplantation.
The natural history of PBC has four stages. The preclinical stage occurs when there are no abnormalities in liver blood tests. The asymptomatic phase occurs when liver tests are abnormal, while the symptomatic and advanced phases are when the disease progresses. The Mayo risk score can be used to estimate the likelihood of progression.
In addition to determining whether UDCA is effective, the study will also investigate if UDCA may increase bile flow in patients with PBC. In addition, the study will include information about the patients’ diet, lifestyle, and medical history, including family history, dietary habits, and exposures to medications and environmental toxins. While the study will not prove whether UDCA increases bile flow in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis, the results should give important clues about the genetic predisposition to the disease.
Ursodeoxycholic acid increases cholesterol
Despite its cholesterol-raising properties, ursodeoxycholic acid has a few side effects. While this medication is usually taken with food, it should not be taken with antacid preparations. Among the side effects of this drug are diarrhea, pain, and yellowing of the eyes and skin. It may also increase the risk of gallstones, which are calcified deposits of bile. Symptoms of a gallstone include pain in the biliary system, as well as yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes. In some rare cases, this drug may lead to decompensation of hepatic cirrhosis, although this condition is reversible once treatment is discontinued.[6]
In animal studies, ursodeoxycholic acid reduces adiposity and inflammation in mice, and it has anti-inflammatory properties. The effects of this drug on the gut microbiota and signaling through Farnesoid X receptors have also been reported. Another study, conducted in humans, examined ursodeoxycholic acid and coronary artery disease in primary biliary cirrhosis.
Aside from its anti-inflammatory properties, ursodeoxycholic acid inhibits bile acid absorption. Because it reduces bile acid absorption, ursodeoxycholic acid helps liver cells. Additionally, ursodeoxycholic acid inhibits the release of hydrolytic enzymes from damaged hepatocytes. It is also useful in the treatment of cholestatic liver diseases.
As a result of the biliary secretion, ursodeoxycholic acid lowers a person’s total cholesterol levels. This compound is also used to dissolve cholesterol gallstones. Moreover, studies have shown that it can reduce the risk of atherosclerosis in patients with cholestatic liver disease. This medicine has several other advantages as well. It may reduce the risk of atherosclerosis but has little effect on lipid synthesis in the body.
Before taking ursodeoxycholic acid, it is essential to read the manufacturer’s leaflet. This leaflet contains information about the specific brand of ursodeoxycholic acid and its possible side effects. Listed below are some of the most common side effects of ursodeoxycholic acid. These side effects should be avoided if possible. However, some of these side effects may occur when combined with oral combined hormonal contraception, so it is essential to consult a doctor prior to beginning this treatment.[7]
