Udiliv 300: Uses, How It Works, Side Effects

What is Udiliv 300 used for?

Udiliv 300 is a prescription medicine. It is used, on a doctor's advice, to dissolve some gallstones and to treat primary biliary cholangitis, a long-term liver disease.

• Dissolving small to medium cholesterol-rich gallstones that look clear on X-ray, in people whose gallbladder still works
• Treating primary biliary cholangitis (also called primary biliary cirrhosis), a long-term liver disease

How does Udiliv 300 work?

Cholesterol-rich gallstones form when bile holds too much cholesterol. Ursodeoxycholic acid lowers the amount of cholesterol in bile, so small stones can slowly dissolve. The exact way it works is not fully understood.

What happens in your body after you take it

1. You swallow the tablet

   The tablet dissolves in the gut and ursodeoxycholic acid is absorbed into the blood.

2. It goes to the liver

   Blood carries it to the liver, which takes it up and sends it into the bile.

3. Bile contains less cholesterol

   In the bile, ursodeoxycholic acid lowers the share of cholesterol, so the bile is less saturated with it.

4. Small stones can slowly dissolve

   With less cholesterol in the bile, small cholesterol gallstones can slowly dissolve over many months. Stones that contain calcium or bile pigments do not.

5. The body clears it

   It passes through the gut and leaves the body in the stool. Your doctor checks progress with scans and liver blood tests.

How to take Udiliv 300

Take Udiliv 300 exactly as your doctor has prescribed or as printed on the pack. The dose depends on body weight and the condition, and your doctor decides it and how long you need it.

• Swallow the tablet with water. Follow the label or your doctor's advice about timing; for gallstones it is sometimes taken at night.
• Treatment for gallstones can take many months. Do not stop on your own.
• If you miss a dose, take it when you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Do not take two doses together.
• Your doctor will arrange liver blood tests and gallbladder scans during treatment.
• Keep a gap of at least 2 hours from antacids with aluminium and from colestyramine.

Side effects of Udiliv 300

The most common side effect is loose stools, and serious effects are rare.

Uncommon or mild

• Pasty stools or diarrhoea
• Nausea or vomiting
• Itching

Who should be careful

Some people need to check with a doctor before taking Udiliv 300, or need extra care while taking it.

• Pregnancy: it must not be used in pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are or may be pregnant; the product information advises reliable contraception that does not use hormones, or low-oestrogen pills
• Breastfeeding: not recommended
• Calcified gallstones, a blocked bile duct, or an inflamed gallbladder or bile duct
• Frequent gallbladder pain, or a gallbladder that does not work well
• Stomach ulcer, or long-term inflammatory bowel disease
• Regular liver blood tests and scans are needed while taking it
• Diarrhoea: tell your doctor, who may lower the dose

Medicines and things that interact with Udiliv 300

Some medicines change how much ursodeoxycholic acid is absorbed, and it can change other medicines. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about everything you take.

• Colestyramine, colestipol, charcoal and antacids with aluminium: they bind it, so keep a gap of at least 2 hours
• Ciclosporin: its blood level may need checking
• Ciprofloxacin: absorption may fall
• Oral contraceptives: they can work against gallstone dissolution

If someone takes too much

Storage

Store below 25 C in a dry place, protected from light and moisture, in the original strip, and out of the reach of children. Do not use after the expiry date. Check the pack for the exact storage instructions.

Regulatory status in India

Approved for sale in India as a prescription medicine. Single-ingredient ursodeoxycholic acid was not found on the CDSCO list of medicines banned under section 26A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act in this check; the reviewer should confirm. Udiliv 300 is understood to contain ursodeoxycholic acid only; confirm on the pack.

Other brands with the same medicine

Ursodeoxycholic acid 300 mg tablets are sold under other brand names and as generic medicines. They contain the same medicine; check the label for the strength. Udiliv is also sold in other strengths, so do not switch between products without asking your doctor.

Other strengths and forms

Ursodeoxycholic acid is sold in different strengths and forms. The strength and contents are printed on the pack and are not the same across products, so check the label of the one you have.

Common questions