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Ursodeoxycholic Acid

Ursodeoxycholic Acid (brands include Urso and Actigall) is a bile acid used to dissolve certain cholesterol gallstones and to treat primary biliary cholangitis. This page lists two tablet formulations.

Urso

Primary Biliary Cholangitis, Gallstone Dissolution

150mg · 300mg

Ursodeoxycholic acid tablets for primary biliary cholangitis and gallstones. It lowers cholesterol in bile to help dissolve stones.

From$1.70/ tabletView

Actigall

Primary Biliary Cholangitis, Gallstone Dissolution

150mg · 300mg

Ursodeoxycholic acid capsules for gallstone dissolution and primary biliary cholangitis. It reduces the cholesterol in bile, which is what gallstones are made of.

From$1.86/ tabletView

Key points

  • Ursodeoxycholic acid is a naturally occurring bile acid that reduces cholesterol saturation in bile, helping small gallstones dissolve over time.
  • It is also prescribed to slow the progression of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), a chronic autoimmune liver condition.
  • Both listed products, Urso and Actigall, are originator-brand tablets available in 150 mg and 300 mg strengths; mild diarrhoea is the most common side effect.

What Ursodeoxycholic Acid is used for

Ursodeoxycholic acid has two main on‑label uses. In Gallstone Dissolution, it works by making bile less saturated with cholesterol, which allows small, cholesterol‑rich stones to gradually dissolve over months. For Primary Biliary Cholangitis, the medicine helps slow liver damage by improving bile flow and reducing toxic bile acid buildup. Because it influences cholesterol handling in the liver, it is grouped under Cholesterol Management treatments, though its role is specific to bile composition rather than blood cholesterol.

Further reading