Ursodiol
Chemical name	Ursodeoxycholic acid
Chemical formula	C24H40O4
Molecular mass	392.56 g/mol
CAS number	128-13-2
Melting point	203–206 °C

Ursodiol (trade names Actigall, Ursofalk, Urso, Urso Forte) is a bile acid found in large quantities in bear bile; it also occurs naturally in human bile in smaller quantities.

The drug reduces cholesterol absorption and is used to dissolve gallstones in patients who want an alternative to surgery. The drug is very expensive, however, and if the patient stops taking it, the gallstones recur. For these reasons, it has not supplanted surgical treatment by cholecystectomy. It is also the recommended treatment for Primary biliary cirrhosis, and other cholestatic diseases, and the primary medicine given to children with biliary atresia.

Mechanism of action

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Ursodiol, whose chemical name is ursodeoxycholic acid, reduces elevated liver enzyme levels by facilitating bile flow through the liver and protecting liver cells.

Supply

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The commercial drug is synthesized, it is not derived from animals.

History

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Ursodiol was brought to market by the Montreal-based Axcan Pharma in 1998, which continues to market the drug.

External links

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• Ursodiol information at MedlinePlus

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