Actigall (Ursodiol) and/or alternatives

General Information On Actigall

Actigall is used for dissolving small gallstones in patients who cannot undergo a gallbladder surgery. Its generic name is Ursodiol, and it is a bile acid. You can buy Actigall in the form of oral tablets. It acts by dissolving cholesterol that form into gallstones and inhibiting cholesterol production in the liver and its absorption in the intestines. In this way, the formation of gallstones is curbed. This drug can also be used for increasing the flow of bile in patients suffering from primary billiary cirrhosis. Actigall cannot be effective in treating calcified gallstones.

Side Effects for Actigall

Some commonly experienced side effects of Actigall include dizziness, tiredness, back pain, stomach pain, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, body ache, chills, fever, headache, stuffy or runny nose, and cold symptoms. These are common side effects and should subside as you get used to the drug. Sometimes, Actigall can also lead to weakness, increased thirst or urination, swelling of the feet or ankles, easy bleeding or bruising, and signs of an infection such as persistent sore throat or fever. Under such circumstances, it would be better to seek medical help immediately.

You should discontinue taking Actigall if you develop an allergic reaction to it. Symptoms of an allergic reaction are difficulty in breathing, swollen face, tongue, throat or lips, hives and rashes.

Precautions

Before you buy Actigall, you must inform your doctor if you are allergic to it or to any other bile acids. You should also not take this drug if you have a bile duct problem or certain gallbladder conditions such as acute cholecystitis, biliary obstruction, cholangitis, biliary-gastrointestinal fistula, or gallstone pancreatitis. You should also inform your doctor if you have a personal or family history of liver disease, variceal bleeding, ascites, or hepatic encephalopathy. As Actigall causes dizziness, you should limit your alcohol intake and should not perform any activity that requires complete alertness, such as driving a car immediately after taking a dose. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should take this drug only if clearly indicated. This is because its safety during these conditions has not yet been established.

Actigall Dosage

You will be recommended to take Actigall 13-15 mg/kg/day, divided into 2-4 doses. The tablets need to be taken with food. If you find it difficult to swallow the tablet whole, you can divide it into two halves. Dosage adjustments can be made as per your medical condition and response to treatment. Do not stop taking Actigall or increase or decrease the dosage without consulting your doctor. Actigall comes in Actigall 300mg tablets.

Interactions

Before taking Actigall, you should inform your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medicines you are taking at present. If you are already taking colestipol, cholestyramine, antacids containing aluminum, or estrogens such as birth control pills and hormone replacement drugs, special tests or dosage adjustments may be necessary. Colestipol and cholestyramine are bile acid sequestering agents and may interfere with the working of Actigall. Aluminum based antacids may absorb bile acids and interfere with their functioning. Estrogens, clofibrate, and oral contraceptives increase the secretion of hepatic cholesterol and encourage the formation of cholesterol gallstones. Therefore, they may counteract with the working of Actigall.

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