Ursodiol (Ursodeoxycholic acid)
The drug reduces cholesterol absorption and is used to dissolve (cholesterol) gallstones in patients who want an alternative to surgery.
Ursodiol (also known as ursodeoxycholic acid) is one of the secondary bile acids, which are metabolic byproducts of intestinal bacteria. Primary bile acids are produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. When secreted into the colon, primary bile acids can be metabolized into secondary bile acids by intestinal bacteria. Primary and secondary bile acids help the body digest fats. Ursodeoxycholic acid helps regulate cholesterol by reducing the rate at which the intestine absorbs cholesterol molecules while breaking up micelles containing cholesterol. Because of this property, ursodeoxycholic acid is used to treat gall stones non-surgically.
Ursodeoxycholic acid reduces elevated liver enzyme levels by facilitating bile flow through the liver and protecting liver cells. The main mechanism if anticholelithic. Although the exact process of ursodiol’s anticholelithic action is not completely understood, it is thought that the drug is concentrated in bile and decreases biliary cholesterol by suppressing hepatic synthesis and secretion of cholesterol and by inhibiting its intestinal absorption. The reduced cholesterol saturation permits the gradual solubilization of cholesterol from gallstones, resulting in their eventual dissolution.
Calcified And Pigment Gallstones, Radio-Opaque Gallstones. Nonfunctioning Gall Bladders; Chronic Liver And Peptic Ulcer Disease. Inflammatory Disease Of Colon And Small Intestine. Pregnancy.
Ursodeoxycholic Acid Suppresses Hepatic Synthesis And Secretion Of Cholesterol And Also Inhibits Intestinal Absorption Of Cholesterol. Absorption: Rapidly And Completely Absorbed From The GI Tract. Distribution: Protein Binding: 96-98%. Undergoes Enterohepatic Recycling. Metabolism: Partly Conjugated In The Liver Before Being Excreted Into The Bile. Free And Conjugated Forms Undergo 7a-Dehydroxylation To Lithocholic Acid Under The Influence Of Gut Bactera. Some Are Reabsorbed And Then Further Conjugated And Sulfated By The Liver. Excretion: Faeces.
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