ursodeoxycholic acid
Gallstone dissolving medicine
Ursodeoxycholic acid is a bile acid used to dissolve gallstones and treat certain liver diseases.
It occurs naturally in small amounts in human bile but is produced pharmaceutically for medical use.
The drug reduces cholesterol absorption and protects liver cells from toxic bile acids: Her doctor prescribed ursodeoxycholic acid for her gallstones.
Often abbreviated UDCA.
Impaired hepatic bile drainage
- cirrhosisIrreversible hepatic scarring
- jaundiceYellowing from bile pigment
- fibrosisPathological connective tissue buildup
- liver transplantSurgical organ replacement
intrahepatic · pruritus · cystic fibrosis · pediatric · pregnancy
Waxy lipid in blood
- digestionBodily food breakdown
- micellesAmphiphile clusters in solution
- bilirubinHemoglobin degradation byproduct
- bile saltsHepatic fat emulsifiers
emulsification · intestinal flora · conjugation · taurine · glycine · hydrophilic · solubility · postprandial
Breaking up completely
- gallbladderBile storage organ
- cholecystectomyGallbladder excision surgery
- lithotripsyShattering calculi with soundwaves
- radiolucentPermeable to X-rays
ultrasound · colic · obstruction · calcium · ducts · laparoscopic · endoscopic · common bile duct
Fraction reaching active circulation
- pharmacokineticsDrug fate in body
- dosageMeasured medicine amount
- therapeuticPromoting healing or wellness
- indicationSign of what's coming
efficacy · contraindication · side-effects · capsule · suspension · long-term
cholestasis
Impaired hepatic bile drainage
- cirrhosisIrreversible hepatic scarring
- jaundiceYellowing from bile pigment
- fibrosisPathological connective tissue buildup
liver transplant · intrahepatic · pruritus · cystic fibrosis · pediatric · pregnancy
cholesterol
Waxy lipid in blood
- digestionBodily food breakdown
- micellesAmphiphile clusters in solution
- bilirubinHemoglobin degradation byproduct
bile salts · emulsification · intestinal flora · conjugation · taurine · glycine · hydrophilic · solubility · postprandial · nutrient absorption
dissolution
Breaking up completely
- gallbladderBile storage organ
- cholecystectomyGallbladder excision surgery
- lithotripsyShattering calculi with soundwaves
radiolucent · ultrasound · colic · obstruction · calcium · ducts · laparoscopic · endoscopic · common bile duct · nonsurgical
bioavailability
Fraction reaching active circulation
- pharmacokineticsDrug fate in body
- dosageMeasured medicine amount
- therapeuticPromoting healing or wellness
indication · efficacy · contraindication · side-effects · capsule · suspension · long-term
- bile acids
- Biliary Systembile, bile duct, bile ducts, gallbladder, common bile duct
- CytoprotectantsN-acetylcysteine, NAC, glutathione, antioxidants, prostaglandins
- liver treatmentsliver transplant, transplant, hepatectomy, resection, antivirals
- liver productsbile, bilirubin, bile salts, albumin, cholesterol
- steroidssteroid, cortisol, testosterone, estrogen, progesterone
ursodeoxycholic acidcholecystectomy
Gallbladder excision surgery