Bile acid (hepatoprotective agent)
Last reviewed June 2026
Who is this for?
Ursodeoxycholic acid (also called UDCA or ursodiol) is a naturally occurring bile acid that helps protect your liver and dissolve certain types of gallstones by reducing the amount of cholesterol your liver produces and helping bile flow more smoothly.
Displaces hydrophobic bile acids in the bile acid pool, reducing their cytotoxic effects on hepatocytes and increasing cholesterol solubility for gallstone dissolution; simultaneously activates farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and G-protein-coupled bile acid receptor 1 (TGR5) signaling, promoting hepatoprotection and reducing hepatic inflammation and fibrosis.
Prescription Required
You need a doctor's prescription to buy this drug.
Is Ursodeoxycholic safe to take with another drug?
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The usual adult dose is 8–15 mg per kilogram of body weight per day, split into 2–3 doses. For example, a 70 kg person may take 250 mg two or three times daily. Always take it with food or just after eating, as this helps your body absorb it better. Swallow the tablet whole with water. Your doctor will tell you the exact dose depending on your condition.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember — preferably with your next meal. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed one and continue as normal. Do not take a double dose to make up for it.
This is a prescription medicine — do not buy it from roadside vendors or use someone else's prescription, as dosing depends on your specific condition and body weight. Treatment for gallstones can take several months (sometimes 6–24 months), so be patient and do not stop taking it just because you feel fine. Your doctor will likely order regular blood tests and scans to monitor your liver and check if the treatment is working — make sure you attend these appointments.
Antacids containing aluminium (like Gestid or Maalox) can reduce how well UDCA works — take them at least 2 hours apart. Cholesterol-lowering drugs like cholestyramine also block its absorption, so space them out. Some oral contraceptives (birth control pills) and hormone medications may increase cholesterol in bile and work against this drug — tell your doctor about all medicines you are taking.
Check your specific combination
Is it safe to take Ursodeoxycholic with your other drugs?
Do not use ursodeoxycholic acid during pregnancy or breastfeeding unless your doctor specifically prescribes it, as its safety has not been fully confirmed in pregnant or nursing women.
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat — Nigerian weather can be very hot, so avoid leaving it in your car or near windows. Keep it in the original packaging and far away from children.
For information only — not medical advice. Always talk to a doctor or pharmacist before changing your medication.
Names this drug is sold under — especially in Nigerian and West African pharmacies
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Counterfeit Drug Warning
Fake drugs are a serious problem in Nigeria. Always buy from a registered pharmacy. If the packaging looks different from what is described above, do not use it.
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