Biologically Active Substance
ursodeoxycholic acid
Effect:
Decreased Cholesterol Absorption
May Prevent:
Cholelithiasis
May Treat:
Cholelithiasis; Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary
More Information:
ChemID; DrugBank; DailyMed; DrugInfo; PDR
Definitions related to ursodiol:
  • A drug that is used to dissolve gallstones in people who can't have surgery to remove them. It is also being studied in the prevention of colorectal cancer. Ursodiol belongs to the family of drugs called anticholelithics.
    NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
  • A synthetically-derived form of ursodiol, a bile acid produced by the liver and secreted and stored in the gallbladder. Also produced by the Chinese black bear liver, ursodiol has been used in the treatment of liver disease for centuries. This agent dissolves or prevents cholesterol gallstones by blocking hepatic cholesterol production and decreasing bile cholesterol. Ursodiol also reduces the absorption of cholesterol from the intestinal tract.
    NCI Thesaurus
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
  • (ursodeoxycholic acid) An epimer of chenodeoxycholic acid. It is a mammalian bile acid found first in the bear and is apparently either a precursor or a product of chenodeoxycholate. Its administration changes the composition of bile and may dissolve gallstones. It is used as a cholagogue and choleretic.
    NLM Medical Subject Headings
    U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
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