Get Informed: Actigall
Active Ingredient(s)
Ursodiol
What does it do?
This product is used primarily used in the treatment of biliary cirrhosis. It works by decreasing cholesterol production, secretion, and absorption.
- Last Text Update:
- 2010-Mar-18 2:22 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2010-Mar-19 9:03 PM
Other Names
- Ursodiol
- Urso
- Actigall
- Ursofalk
- Ursodeoxycholic Acid
- Destolit
- Ursogal
- Urdox
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- B
- Black Box Warning:
- No
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 31 Dec 1987
- Est US Patients*
- 69,820
- Generic Available
- Yes
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Actigall or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Recent alerts for Actigall
There have been no iGuard.org alerts regarding Actigall during the past year.
Actigall Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
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What is Actigall used for?
iGuard is currently tracking more than 460 patients that use Actigall (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Liver Problems | 71% | 
|
| Gallbladder Removal | 26% | 
|
| High Cholesterol | 3% | 
|
| Other | 3% |
|
How well does Actigall work?
iGuard regularly polls our more than 460 users taking Actigall (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 79%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Actigall outweigh the bad things.
- 11%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Actigall.
Common Side Effects of Actigall
iGuard regularly polls our more than 460 users taking Actigall (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
6% of patients experience side-effects on Actigall
< 1% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Actigall
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Bloating/Gas
-
Diarrhea
-
= 10%
Global Patient Feedback for Actigall (Ursodiol) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I have been on ursodiol for about 6 years for the treatment of PBC.It works well to control liver stats. My problem is major sinus problems that started early on but got worse as time went by.Does anyone else have this problem with this drug?
61 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-01-24 10:13:57
Answer/Reply:
I have been on ursodiol for 2 years now for PBC as well and have had no problems. It has brought all my liver stats back into a normal range.
49 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-10 13:53:31
Question/Comment:
I have been taking ursodiol for about one year now. I to have bad bile duct blockage and sludge.. It has helped me keep the stones and some sludge down, my last blood count was really good.. Last time I was in getting bile duct clean will be year this month.. So far so good, thank god for that. The medication helps so I will stay on it till I don't have to worry about the sludge and stone build up..
Thanks
62 years old- Female
63 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-12-01 21:08:21
Question/Comment:
I've been taking 4 300mg capsules daily for 2 years for gall stones.The last gallbladder attack was
about 1 1/2 years ago when I ran out of my pills for about 4 days. I ate some pork chops and crab legs
and ended up at the ER and almost died.My BP and pulse was way down and I was in the ICU for a day.
My question is how long is it safe to take my present dosage?I also have an ulcer so I take antacids.
My interaction profile shows no interaction between Maalox and ursodiol but I've read that antacids should not
be taken with ursodiol. Is there a time span I can use so I would be able to use these 2 meds daily?
63 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-09-13 22:37:05
iGuard Answer/Reply:
The normal dose for gallstone prevention is 300mg twice daily. When gallstones are present, the dose can be increased to a higher dose that is weight-dependent. While on the higher dose, ultrasound images are typically taken of the gall bladder to see if the stones have dissolved. If you are concerned about your dose, you may want to discuss the status of your gallstones with your doctor. If you no longer have gallstones, you can ask your doctor about decreasing your dosage slowly while monitoring your symptoms.
Maalox may reduce the absorption of ursodiol when these two medications are taken at the same time. Separating them by a few hours should allow them both to work without affecting the other. To minimize the possible drug interaction between Maalox and ursodiol, take your ursodiol 1 hour before or 2 hours after the Maalox to maximize the effects of both of the medications.
Posted: 2009-09-21 01:49:08
Question/Comment:
I take Actigall due to having had gastric bypass surgery.
35 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-07-31 23:38:09
Question/Comment:
I began taking ursodiol after an attack of gallbladder colic, accompanied by pancreatitis. The usual ultrasound study of the gallbladder revealed no stones, but an endoscopic ultrasound showed GB "sludge". I have been on the drug for about 4 years, and my question is: when do I stop it? Apparently there are no good research studies which provide an answer. The drug is supposed to dissolve stones over time. Is four years enough? One physician says that I should keep on taking it indefinitely. Reasoning: drug is reasonably inexpensive and safe, and the consequences of repeated stones, pancreatitis, etc. could be severe. Why not keep taking it. Anyone have data which would help guide me? Thanks.
85 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2008-07-07 15:23:41
iGuard Answer/Reply:
These are very good questions which unfortunately don't have clear cut answers. If you are concerned about continuing the ursodiol, you may want to talk with your doctor about other options - including non-drug and/or surgical options and also ask more about your risk of having a repeat attack of gallstones and pancreatitis if you stop the ursodiol - hopefully this will allow you to better weigh the risks and benefits of your options.
Posted: 2008-07-11 15:42:10
Answer/Reply:
I have been on ursodiol (urso forte) for about four years. My doctors have me on this so that my bile ducts won't get sludge build-up. In the past I have had to have stints put in because there was so much sludge in my bile ducts. My doctors have told me that ursodiol (on me) is used as a preventative medicine, cause I have so many other health issues.
47 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2008-12-20 10:01:10
You may post comments for the benefit of other patients or post questions other patients might be able to answer. Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Only your age and gender will be published with your comment, although your other user details will be securely recorded for verification purposes.
Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.
9
Patient Comments about
Actigall