Complete adverse effect profile including incidence rates and management
Important Safety Information
This is not a complete list of all possible side effects. Contact your healthcare provider if you experience any unexpected symptoms. For serious or life-threatening side effects, seek emergency medical attention immediately.
Diarrhea — most common (occurs in up to 25% at high doses)
Abdominal pain or discomfort
Nausea
Dyspepsia and constipation
Alopecia (hair thinning) — reported with chronic use
Back pain
Arthralgia
Calcification of gallstones (radiopaque calcium deposits may appear) — monitor with ultrasound or X-ray
Hepatotoxicity in decompensated cirrhosis (ursodiol may worsen PSC at high doses according to clinical trials)
Cholecystitis (if gallstone fragments cause obstruction during dissolution)
Hypersensitivity reactions (rare)
Pruritus
Elevated liver enzymes (paradoxical; usually transient at initiation)
Like all medications, Ursodiol can cause side effects. However, not everyone who takes this medication will experience them. Many side effects are dose-dependent and may improve as your body adjusts to the medication. Others may require dose adjustment or medical attention.
Contact your healthcare provider promptly if you experience:
Seek immediate emergency medical care if you experience signs of: