Reltone (ursodiol)

Gallstone Solubilizing Agents Oral Capsule

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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data

Overview

Ursodiol, a naturally occurring bile acid, is used for its cholelitholytic or anticholestatic action.

Ursodiol, the 7beta-hydroxyepimer of chenodeoxycholic acid (chenodiol), is a naturally occurring, hydrophilic bile acid found in small quantities in normal human bile (normally about 5% of total bile acids) and in the bile of certain animals.

The exact mechanism of action(s) of ursodiol in the dissolution of gallstones has not been fully elucidated, but it has been suggested that the drug suppresses hepatic synthesis and secretion of cholesterol and inhibits intestinal absorption of cholesterol.

Despite aqueous insolubility of cholesterol, in the presence of dihydroxy bile acids cholesterol can be solubilized in aqueous media through the dispersion of cholesterol as liquid crystals or in micelles.

Increases the concentration at which saturation of cholesterol occurs.

Ursodiol may affect the nucleation of cholesterol from bile by altering nucleation factors.

Appears to have small inhibitory effect on synthesis and secretion of endogenous bile acids into bile; does not appear to affect secretion of phospholipids into bile.

Sites of therapeutic action include the liver, bile, and gut lumen.

In patients with gallstones, combined actions of ursodiol change the bile from cholesterol-precipitating to cholesterol-solubilizing, which results in dissolution of cholesterol stones.

Has hepatoprotective effects, which are thought to be principally related to displacement of more hydrophobic and toxic bile acids (e.g., lithocholic acid) that accumulate in the setting of cholestasis. May also protect injured bile duct epithelial cells (cholangiocytes) against toxic effects of bile acids, inhibit apoptosis of hepatocytes, and stimulate bile secretion by hepatocytes and cholangiocytes.

Reduction in serum bilirubin in patients with PBC may be related to improved biliary transport.

Immunomodulatory effects, including reduction in expression of class I antigens on hepatocytes, also may play a role in beneficial effects in patients with PBC.

USES: Ursodiol is used to dissolve certain types of gallstones, to prevent gallstones from forming in obese patients who are losing weight rapidly, and to treat a certain type of liver disease (primary biliary cholangitis). Ursodiol is a bile acid.

Generic name: ursodiol
Pronunciation: (UR-soe-DYE-ol)
Drug class: Gallstone Solubilizing Agents
Therapeutic class: Gastrointestinal Therapy Agents

Reference product & biosimilars

No reference, biosimilar or interchangeable associated with this drug.

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Indications

The following indications are listed for Reltone:

  • Biliary Calculus
  • Cholelithiasis Prevention

Also known as: Cholelithiasis, Cholelithiasis Prophylaxis.

Dosing

No dosing information is available for this tab.

Drug interactions

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Contraindications

Hypersensitivity or intolerance to ursodiol, bile acids, or any component of the formulation.

Complete biliary obstruction.

Do not use for dissolution of calcified cholesterol stones, radiopaque stones, or radiolucent bile pigment stones.

Do not use in patients with compelling reasons for cholecystectomy, including unremitting cholecystitis, cholangitis, biliary obstruction, gallstone pancreatitis, or biliary-gastrointestinal fistula.

Adverse reactions

Capsules (gallstone dissolution): Abdominal pain, diarrhea, viral infection, headache, dyspepsia, upper respiratory tract infection, nausea, sinusitis, constipation, vomiting, pharyngitis, arthralgia, flatulence, back pain, cough, bronchitis, urinary tract infection, arthritis, myalgia, allergy, cholecystitis, rhinitis, fatigue.

Capsules (prevention of gallstone formation): Constipation, diarrhea, headache, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, upper respiratory tract infection, back pain, viral infection, fatigue, influenza-like symptoms, abdominal pain, musculoskeletal pain, dysmenorrhea, alopecia, sinusitis, flatulence.

Tablets (PBC): Abdominal discomfort, abdominal pain, alopecia, diarrhea, nausea, pruritus, rash.

Precautions

No enhanced messaging available.

ICD codes

CodeTypeDescription
Biliary calculus
K80ICD10CMCholelithiasis
K80.0ICD10CMCalculus of gallbladder with acute cholecystitis
K80.00ICD10CMCalculus of gallbladder with acute cholecystitis without obstruction
K80.01ICD10CMCalculus of gallbladder with acute cholecystitis with obstruction
K80.1ICD10CMCalculus of gallbladder with other cholecystitis
K80.10ICD10CMCalculus of gallbladder with chronic cholecystitis without obstruction
K80.11ICD10CMCalculus of gallbladder with chronic cholecystitis with obstruction
K80.12ICD10CMCalculus of gallbladder with acute and chronic cholecystitis without obstruction
K80.13ICD10CMCalculus of gallbladder with acute and chronic cholecystitis with obstruction
K80.18ICD10CMCalculus of gallbladder with other cholecystitis without obstruction
K80.19ICD10CMCalculus of gallbladder with other cholecystitis with obstruction
K80.2ICD10CMCalculus of gallbladder without cholecystitis
K80.20ICD10CMCalculus of gallbladder without cholecystitis without obstruction
K80.21ICD10CMCalculus of gallbladder without cholecystitis with obstruction
K80.3ICD10CMCalculus of bile duct with cholangitis
K80.30ICD10CMCalculus of bile duct with cholangitis, unspecified, without obstruction
K80.31ICD10CMCalculus of bile duct with cholangitis, unspecified, with obstruction
K80.32ICD10CMCalculus of bile duct with acute cholangitis without obstruction
K80.33ICD10CMCalculus of bile duct with acute cholangitis with obstruction
K80.34ICD10CMCalculus of bile duct with chronic cholangitis without obstruction
K80.35ICD10CMCalculus of bile duct with chronic cholangitis with obstruction
K80.36ICD10CMCalculus of bile duct with acute and chronic cholangitis without obstruction
K80.37ICD10CMCalculus of bile duct with acute and chronic cholangitis with obstruction
K80.4ICD10CMCalculus of bile duct with cholecystitis
K80.40ICD10CMCalculus of bile duct with cholecystitis, unspecified, without obstruction
K80.41ICD10CMCalculus of bile duct with cholecystitis, unspecified, with obstruction
K80.42ICD10CMCalculus of bile duct with acute cholecystitis without obstruction
K80.43ICD10CMCalculus of bile duct with acute cholecystitis with obstruction
K80.44ICD10CMCalculus of bile duct with chronic cholecystitis without obstruction
K80.45ICD10CMCalculus of bile duct with chronic cholecystitis with obstruction
K80.46ICD10CMCalculus of bile duct with acute and chronic cholecystitis without obstruction
K80.47ICD10CMCalculus of bile duct with acute and chronic cholecystitis with obstruction
K80.5ICD10CMCalculus of bile duct without cholangitis or cholecystitis
K80.50ICD10CMCalculus of bile duct without cholangitis or cholecystitis without obstruction
K80.51ICD10CMCalculus of bile duct without cholangitis or cholecystitis with obstruction
K80.6ICD10CMCalculus of gallbladder and bile duct with cholecystitis
K80.60ICD10CMCalculus of gallbladder and bile duct with cholecystitis, unspecified, without obstruction
K80.61ICD10CMCalculus of gallbladder and bile duct with cholecystitis, unspecified, with obstruction
K80.62ICD10CMCalculus of gallbladder and bile duct with acute cholecystitis without obstruction
K80.63ICD10CMCalculus of gallbladder and bile duct with acute cholecystitis with obstruction
K80.64ICD10CMCalculus of gallbladder and bile duct with chronic cholecystitis without obstruction
K80.65ICD10CMCalculus of gallbladder and bile duct with chronic cholecystitis with obstruction
K80.66ICD10CMCalculus of gallbladder and bile duct with acute and chronic cholecystitis without obstruction
K80.67ICD10CMCalculus of gallbladder and bile duct with acute and chronic cholecystitis with obstruction
K80.7ICD10CMCalculus of gallbladder and bile duct without cholecystitis
K80.70ICD10CMCalculus of gallbladder and bile duct without cholecystitis without obstruction
K80.71ICD10CMCalculus of gallbladder and bile duct without cholecystitis with obstruction
K80.8ICD10CMOther cholelithiasis
K80.80ICD10CMOther cholelithiasis without obstruction
K80.81ICD10CMOther cholelithiasis with obstruction

ICD code information from First Databank (FDB).

Formulary status

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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data