Urso

Urso is a brand name for the generic medication ursodiol. Urso is used to treat small gallbladder stones that have not yet calcified in people for whom surgery is not an option. It does this by decreasing the amount of cholesterol that the gallbladder absorbs from food, and increasing the breakdown cholesterol that forms into stones in the gallbladder. It also helps to prevent gallstone formation in obese people who are undergoing rapid weight loss and people suffering from cirrhosis. Urso is also given to treat primary biliary cirrhosis. In these patients it works by increasing bile flow. Other conditions that can be treated with Urso include complications stemming from Cystic Fibrosis, cirrhosis of the liver, chronic inflammation of the liver, closure of bile ducts and blockage of normal bile flow. It is prescribed in white, film coated tablets.

If you are taking Urso to treat gallstones, you may have to take it for several months before you see any results. Even then, not all gallstones may dissolve entirely. Once they are dissolved through treatment with Urso, they may return within five years. Your doctor may want to perform ultrasound exams while you are taking Urso, to make sure that it is working as it is supposed to. It may also be necessary to test your liver function while taking this medication, so be sure not to miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

Some people should not take Urso. Talk to your doctor if you have cholecystitis, biliary obstruction, gallstone pancreatitis, or a biliary-gastrointestinal fistula. You should also let your doctor know if you have any other medical conditions, especially heart, liver or kidney disease.

Side effects of Urso can include nausea or upset stomach, diarrhea, fever, chills, body aches or other flu-like symptoms, dizziness, fatigue, back pain, runny or stuffy nose or other cold symptoms, or headache. More serious effects include increased thirst or urination and signs of infection. Some people also experience an allergic reaction to Urso, which can result in difficulty breathing, swelling of the throat, lips, face, or tongue, or gives.

You should not take any over-the counter antacids that contain aluminum while you are taking Urso; these can include Rolaids, Mylanta, Maalox and others. Aluminum can inhibit the effectiveness of Urso. Other medications that might affect the effectiveness of Urso include cholestyramine, colestipol, estrogens such as birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy. There may be other drugs that can affect Urso’s use, so make sure to tell your doctor if you are taking any medications, including over the counter or herbal medications.

Urso is in pregnancy category B, which means this it is not usually harmful to an unborn baby. Nevertheless, you should still consult your doctor before taking Urso if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. It is not known whether Urso passes into breast milk, so use extreme caution if taking it if you are nursing a child.

Urso has the following structural formula: