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Ursodiol
Overview
Active ingredients
Source: NDC Directory| Ingredient | Strength | RxCUI | Monograph |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ursadiol | 300 mg/1 | 858747 | — |
| Ursodiol | 300 mg/1 | 858747 | View |
Forms, strengths and routes
Source: NDC DirectoryPharmacologic classes are listed in the class section below.
Pharmacologic class
Source: NDC Directory| Class | Type | Browse |
|---|---|---|
| Bile Acid [EPC] | EPC | 6 members — no class page |
| Bile Acids and Salts [CS] | CS | 6 members — no class page |
Regulatory status
Source: Drugs@FDANDC Directory| Product | Trade name | Form | Strength | Ingredient | Status | TE | Flags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 075517-001 | URSODIOL | CAPSULE | URSODIOL | Prescription | AB |
Therapeutic equivalence
Source: Orange BookWhat this rating means: Therapeutically equivalent — bioequivalence demonstrated by in vivo or in vitro testing
Codes beginning with “A” indicate products the FDA considers therapeutically equivalent. Codes beginning with “B” indicate bioequivalence has not been established. See methodology.
Approval history
Source: Drugs@FDA| Type | No. | Action | Status | Date | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supplement | 18 | Labeling | Approved | April 30, 2024 | Standard |
| Supplement | 11 | Labeling | Approved | April 6, 2015 | — |
| Supplement | 6 | Labeling | Approved | August 30, 2007 | — |
| Supplement | 4 | Labeling | Approved | April 11, 2005 | — |
| Original application | 1 | Approved | March 14, 2000 | — |
Prescribing information
Source: openFDA Drug LabelingReproduced verbatim from the Structured Product Labeling submitted to the FDA (effective 20260306). This is the manufacturer's labelling text, not a summary and not advice.
Indications and Usage
openFDA Drug LabelingINDICATIONS AND USAGE 1. Ursodiol capsules are indicated for patients with radiolucent, noncalcified gallbladder stones < 20 mm in greatest diameter in whom elective cholecystectomy would be undertaken except for the presence of increased surgical risk due to systemic disease, advanced age, idiosyncratic reaction to general anesthesia, or for those patients who refuse surgery. Safety of use of ursodiol capsules beyond 24 months is not established. 2. Ursodiol capsules are indicated for the prevention of gallstone formation in obese patients experiencing rapid weight loss.
Dosage and Administration
openFDA Drug LabelingDOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Gallstone Dissolution The recommended dose for ursodiol capsules treatment of radiolucent gallbladder stones is 8 to 10 mg/kg/day given in 2 or 3 divided doses. Ultrasound images of the gallbladder should be obtained at 6-month intervals for the first year of ursodiol capsules therapy to monitor gallstone response. If gallstones appear to have dissolved, ursodiol capsules therapy should be continued and dissolution confirmed on a repeat ultrasound examination within 1 to 3 months. Most patients who eventually achieve complete stone dissolution will show partial or complete dissolution at the first on-treatment reevaluation. If partial stone dissolution is not seen by 12 months of ursodiol capsules therapy, the likelihood of success is greatly reduced. Gallstone Prevention The recommended dosage of ursodiol capsules for gallstone prevention in patients undergoing rapid weight loss is 600 mg/day (300 mg b.i.d.).
Contraindications
openFDA Drug LabelingCONTRAINDICATIONS Ursodiol capsules will not dissolve calcified cholesterol stones, radiopaque stones, or radiolucent bile pigment stones. Hence, patients with such stones are not candidates for ursodiol capsules therapy. Patients with compelling reasons for cholecystectomy including unremitting acute cholecystitis, cholangitis, biliary obstruction, gallstone pancreatitis, or biliary-gastrointestinal fistula are not candidates for ursodiol capsules therapy. Allergy to bile acids.
Warnings
openFDA Drug LabelingWARNINGS Enteroliths in Patients with Risk for Intestinal Stenosis or Stasis There have been rare postmarketing reports of ursodiol-treated patients who developed enteroliths (bezoars) resulting in obstructive symptoms that required surgical intervention. These patients had medical conditions that predisposed them to intestinal stenosis or stasis (e.g., surgical enteroanastomoses, Crohn's disease). If a patient presents with obstructive gastrointestinal symptoms, hold Ursodiol capsules until a clinical evaluation has been conducted.
Adverse Reactions
openFDA Drug LabelingADVERSE REACTIONS The nature and frequency of adverse experiences were similar across all groups. The following tables provide comprehensive listings of the adverse experiences reported that occurred with a 5% incidence level: GALLSTONE DISSOLUTION Ursodiol Placebo 8 - 10 mg/kg/day (N = 155) (N = 159) N (%) N (%) Body as a Whole Allergy 8 (5.2) 7 (4.4) Chest Pain 5 (3.2) 10 (6.3) Fatigue 7 (4.5) 8 (5.0) Infection Viral 30 (19.4) 41 (25.8) Digestive System Abdominal Pain 67 (43.2) 70 (44.0) Cholecystitis 8 (5.2) 7 (4.4) Constipation 15 (9.7) 14 (8.8) Diarrhea 42 (27.1) 34 (21.4) Dyspepsia 26 (16.8) 18 (11.3) Flatulence 12 (7.7) 12 (7.5) Gastrointestinal Disorder 6 (3.9) 8 (5.0) Nausea 22 (14.2) 27 (17.0) Vomiting 15 (9.7) 11 (6.9) Musculoskeletal System Arthralgia 12 (7.7) 24 (15.1) Arthritis 9 (5.8) 4 (2.5) Back Pain 11 (7.1) 18 (11.3) Myalgia 9 (5.8) 9 (5.7) Nervous System Headache 28 (18.1) 34 (21.4) Insomnia 3 (1.9) 8 (5.0) Respiratory System Bronchitis 10 (6.5) 6 (3.8) Coughing 11 (7.1) 7 (4.4) Pharyngitis 13 (8.4) 5 (3.1) Rhinitis 8 (5.2) 11 (6.9) Sinusitis 17 (11.0) 18 (11.3) Upper Respiratory Tract Infection 24 (15.5) 21 (13.2) Urogenital System Urinary Tract Infection 10 (6.5) 7 (4.4) GALLSTONE PREVENTION Ursodiol Placebo 600 mg (N = 322) (N = 325) N (%) N (%) Body as a Whole Fatigue 25 (7.8) 33 (10.2) Infection Viral 29 (9.0) 29 (8.9) Influenza-like Symptoms 21 (6.5) 19 (5.8) Digestive System Abdominal Pain 20 (6.2) 39 (12.0) Constipation 85 (26.4) 72 (22.2) Diarrhea 81 (25.2) 68 (20.9) Flatulence 15 (4.7) 24 (7.4) Nausea 56 (17.4) 43 (13.2) Vomiting 44 (13.7) 44 (13.5) Musculoskeletal System Back Pain 38 (11.8) 21 (6.5) Musculoskeletal Pain 19 (5.9) 15 (4.6) Nervous System Dizziness 53 (16.5) 42 (12.9) Headache 80 (24.8) 78 (24.0) Respiratory System Pharyngitis 10 (3.1) 19 (5.8) Sinusitis 17 (5.3) 18 (5.5) Upper Respiratory Tract Infection 40 (12.4) 35 (10.8) Skin and Appendages Alopecia 17 (5.3) 8 (2.5) Urogenital System Dysmenorrhea 18 (5.6) 19 (5.8) Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions, presented by system organ class in alphabetical order, have been identified during post-approval use of ursodiol. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Gastrointestinal disorders : enteroliths (bezoars) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Strides Pharma Inc. at 1-877-244-9825 or go to www.strides.com or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Drug Interactions
openFDA Drug LabelingDrug Interactions Bile acid sequestering agents such as cholestyramine and colestipol may interfere with the action of ursodiol by reducing its absorption. Aluminum-based antacids have been shown to adsorb bile acids in vitro and may be expected to interfere with ursodiol in the same manner as the bile acid sequestering agents. Estrogens, oral contraceptives, and clofibrate (and perhaps other lipid-lowering drugs) increase hepatic cholesterol secretion, and encourage cholesterol gallstone formation and hence may counteract the effectiveness of ursodiol. Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility Ursodeoxycholic acid was tested in 2-year oral carcinogenicity studies in CD-1 mice and Sprague-Dawley rats at daily doses of 50, 250, and 1,000 mg/kg/day. It was not tumorigenic in mice. In the rat study, it produced statistically significant dose-related increased incidences of pheochromocytomas of adrenal medulla in males (p = 0.014, Peto trend test) and females (p = 0.004, Peto trend test). A 78-week rat study employing intrarectal instillation of lithocholic acid and tauro-deoxycholic acid, metabolites of ursodiol and chenodiol, has been conducted. These bile acids alone did not produce any tumors. A tumor-promoting effect of both metabolites was observed when they were coadministered with a carcinogenic agent. Results of epidemiologic studies suggest that bile acids might be involved in the pathogenesis of human colon cancer in patients who had undergone a cholecystectomy, but direct evidence is lacking. Ursodiol is not mutagenic in the Ames test. Dietary administration of lithocholic acid to chickens is reported to cause hepatic adenomatous hyperplasia.
Description
openFDA Drug LabelingDESCRIPTION Ursodiol is a bile acid available as 300 mg capsules suitable for oral administration. Ursodiol is ursodiol, USP (ursodeoxycholic acid), a naturally occurring bile acid found in small quantities in normal human bile and in the biles of certain other mammals. It is a bitter-tasting, white powder freely soluble in ethanol, methanol, and glacial acetic acid; sparingly soluble in chloroform; slightly soluble in ether; and insoluble in water. The chemical name for ursodiol is 3α,7 β -dihydroxy-5 β -cholan-24-oic acid (C 24 H 40 O 4 ). Ursodiol, USP has a molecular weight of 392.58. Its structure is shown below: Inactive Ingredients: Pregelatinized Starch, Colloidal Silicon Dioxide, Magnesium Stearate. The capsule shell consists of FD&C Blue #1, FD&C Red #40, FD&C Yellow #6, Titanium Dioxide, and Gelatin. The capsule imprinting ink consists of Shellac Glaze in Ethanol, Black Iron Oxide, N-Butyl Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, FD&C Blue #2 Aluminum Lake, FD&C Red #40 Aluminum Lake, FD&C Blue #1 Aluminum Lake, D&C Yellow #10 Aluminum Lake, Ethanol, and Methanol. Chemical Structure
Overdosage
openFDA Drug LabelingOVERDOSAGE Neither accidental nor intentional overdosing with ursodiol capsules has been reported. Doses of ursodiol capsules in the range of 16 - 20 mg/kg/day have been tolerated for 6 to 37 months without symptoms by 7 patients. The LD 50 for ursodiol in rats is over 5,000 mg/kg given over 7 to 10 days and over 7,500 mg/kg for mice. The most likely manifestation of severe overdose with ursodiol capsules would probably be diarrhea, which should be treated symptomatically.
How Supplied / Storage and Handling
openFDA Drug LabelingHOW SUPPLIED Ursodiol Capsules USP, 300 mg are #0 capsules with a pink opaque cap, white opaque body, imprinted “Є503” in black ink on cap and body, filled with white powder. It is supplied in: Cartons of 50 capsules (10 capsules each blister pack x 5), NDC 0904-6221-06 Cartons of 100 capsules (10 capsules each blister pack x 10), NDC 0904-6221-61 Store at 20° - 25°C (68° - 77°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Dispense contents in a tight, light-resistant container as defined in the USP. Keep out of reach of children. Manufactured by: Epic Pharma, LLC Laurelton, NY 11413 Packaged and Distributed by: MAJOR® PHARMACEUTICALS Indianapolis, IN 46268 USA Refer to package label for Distributor's NDC Number Rev. 08-2023-00 MF503REV08/23 OE1105
Adverse event reports
Source: openFDA FAERSAttributed to this product's most-reported active ingredient: URSODIOL. Combination products with more than six active ingredients are not attributed, because a report count summed across a long ingredient list measures the list, not the medicine.
Shortages
Source: FDA Drug Shortages| Status | Availability | Company | Presentation | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| To Be Discontinued | Strides Pharma Inc. | Ursodiol, Capsule, 300 mg (NDC 64380-844-06) | April 6, 2026 |
Packaging and NDCs
Source: NDC Directory| Package NDC | Product NDC | Labeler | Description | Marketing start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0591-3159-00 | 0591-3159 | Actavis Pharma, Inc. | 12000 CAPSULE in 1 BOX (0591-3159-00) | December 31, 1987 |
| 0591-3159-01 | 0591-3159 | Actavis Pharma, Inc. | 100 CAPSULE in 1 BOTTLE (0591-3159-01) | December 31, 1987 |
| 0591-3159-77 | 0591-3159 | Actavis Pharma, Inc. | 11210 CAPSULE in 1 CONTAINER (0591-3159-77) | September 1, 2024 |
| 60687-100-01 | 60687-100 | American Health Packaging | 100 BLISTER PACK in 1 BOX, UNIT-DOSE (60687-100-01) / 1 CAPSULE in 1 BLISTER PACK (60687-100-11) | May 12, 2015 |
| 69238-1540-1 | 69238-1540 | Amneal Pharmaceuticals NY LLC | 100 CAPSULE in 1 BOTTLE (69238-1540-1) | October 22, 2018 |
| 59651-421-01 | 59651-421 | Aurobindo Pharma Limited | 100 CAPSULE in 1 BOTTLE (59651-421-01) | November 28, 2022 |
| 59651-421-11 | 59651-421 | Aurobindo Pharma Limited | 1000 CAPSULE in 1 BAG (59651-421-11) | November 28, 2022 |
| 42291-923-01 | 42291-923 | AvKARE | 100 CAPSULE in 1 BOTTLE (42291-923-01) | July 18, 2023 |
| 50268-797-15 | 50268-797 | AvPAK | 50 BLISTER PACK in 1 BOX (50268-797-15) / 1 CAPSULE in 1 BLISTER PACK (50268-797-11) | February 19, 2021 |
| 50268-864-13 | 50268-864 | AvPAK | 30 BLISTER PACK in 1 BOX (50268-864-13) / 1 CAPSULE in 1 BLISTER PACK (50268-864-11) | July 14, 2026 |
| 72162-2168-1 | 72162-2168 | Bryant Ranch Prepack | 100 CAPSULE in 1 BOTTLE (72162-2168-1) | December 7, 2023 |
| 72162-2619-1 | 72162-2619 | Bryant Ranch Prepack | 100 CAPSULE in 1 BOTTLE (72162-2619-1) | April 20, 2026 |
| 62135-430-60 | 62135-430 | Chartwell RX, LLC | 60 CAPSULE in 1 BOTTLE (62135-430-60) | January 3, 2023 |
| 42806-503-01 | 42806-503 | Epic Pharma, LLC | 100 CAPSULE in 1 BOTTLE (42806-503-01) | July 16, 2010 |
| 51407-754-01 | 51407-754 | Golden State Medical Supply, Inc. | 100 CAPSULE in 1 BOTTLE (51407-754-01) | May 5, 2023 |
| 10702-237-01 | 10702-237 | KVK-Tech, Inc. | 100 CAPSULE in 1 BOTTLE (10702-237-01) | May 17, 2018 |
| 0527-1326-01 | 0527-1326 | Lannett Company, Inc. | 100 CAPSULE in 1 BOTTLE (0527-1326-01) | January 1, 2009 |
| 42385-946-01 | 42385-946 | Laurus Labs Limited | 100 CAPSULE in 1 BOTTLE (42385-946-01) | April 17, 2021 |
| 0904-6221-06 | 0904-6221 | Major Pharmaceuticals | 50 BLISTER PACK in 1 CARTON (0904-6221-06) / 1 CAPSULE in 1 BLISTER PACK | April 1, 2011 |
| 0904-6221-61 | 0904-6221 | Major Pharmaceuticals | 100 BLISTER PACK in 1 CARTON (0904-6221-61) / 1 CAPSULE in 1 BLISTER PACK | April 1, 2011 |
| 72603-613-01 | 72603-613 | NorthStar Rx LLC | 100 CAPSULE in 1 BOTTLE (72603-613-01) | May 1, 2025 |
| 43063-871-01 | 43063-871 | PD-Rx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | 100 CAPSULE in 1 BOTTLE, PLASTIC (43063-871-01) | July 26, 2018 |
| 43063-871-60 | 43063-871 | PD-Rx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | 60 CAPSULE in 1 BOTTLE, PLASTIC (43063-871-60) | December 10, 2019 |
| 43063-871-93 | 43063-871 | PD-Rx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | 180 CAPSULE in 1 BOTTLE, PLASTIC (43063-871-93) | December 10, 2019 |
| 24658-780-01 | 24658-780 | PuraCap Laboratories, LLC | 100 CAPSULE in 1 BOTTLE (24658-780-01) | December 15, 2016 |
| 24658-999-10 | 24658-999 | PuraCap Laboratories, LLC | 1000 CAPSULE in 1 BOTTLE (24658-999-10) | September 30, 2021 |
| 64380-844-04 | 64380-844 | Strides Pharma Science Limited | 30 CAPSULE in 1 BOTTLE (64380-844-04) | September 13, 2021 |
| 64380-844-06 | 64380-844 | Strides Pharma Science Limited | 100 CAPSULE in 1 BOTTLE (64380-844-06) | September 13, 2021 |
| 64380-844-07 | 64380-844 | Strides Pharma Science Limited | 500 CAPSULE in 1 BOTTLE (64380-844-07) | September 13, 2021 |
| 72664-217-01 | 72664-217 | VGYAAN Pharmaceuticals LLC | 100 CAPSULE in 1 BOTTLE, PLASTIC (72664-217-01) | October 25, 2020 |
| 70771-1524-1 | 70771-1524 | Zydus Lifesciences Limited | 100 CAPSULE in 1 BOTTLE (70771-1524-1) | January 21, 2021 |
| 70710-1483-1 | 70710-1483 | Zydus Pharmaceuticals (USA) Inc. | 100 CAPSULE in 1 BOTTLE (70710-1483-1) | January 21, 2021 |
| 0591-3159 | 0591-3159 | Actavis Pharma, Inc. | — | December 31, 1987 |
| 60687-100 | 60687-100 | American Health Packaging | — | May 12, 2015 |
| 69238-1540 | 69238-1540 | Amneal Pharmaceuticals NY LLC | — | October 22, 2018 |
| 59651-421 | 59651-421 | Aurobindo Pharma Limited | — | November 28, 2022 |
| 42291-923 | 42291-923 | AvKARE | — | July 18, 2023 |
| 50268-797 | 50268-797 | AvPAK | — | February 19, 2021 |
| 50268-864 | 50268-864 | AvPAK | — | July 14, 2026 |
| 72162-2168 | 72162-2168 | Bryant Ranch Prepack | — | July 16, 2010 |
| 72162-2619 | 72162-2619 | Bryant Ranch Prepack | — | November 28, 2022 |
| 62135-430 | 62135-430 | Chartwell RX, LLC | — | August 17, 2020 |
| 42806-503 | 42806-503 | Epic Pharma, LLC | — | July 16, 2010 |
| 51407-754 | 51407-754 | Golden State Medical Supply, Inc. | — | January 22, 2021 |
| 10702-237 | 10702-237 | KVK-Tech, Inc. | — | May 17, 2018 |
| 0527-1326 | 0527-1326 | Lannett Company, Inc. | — | January 1, 2009 |
| 42385-946 | 42385-946 | Laurus Labs Limited | — | April 17, 2021 |
| 0904-6221 | 0904-6221 | Major Pharmaceuticals | — | April 1, 2011 |
| 72603-613 | 72603-613 | NorthStar Rx LLC | — | May 1, 2025 |
| 43063-871 | 43063-871 | PD-Rx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | — | May 17, 2018 |
| 24658-780 | 24658-780 | PuraCap Laboratories, LLC | — | December 15, 2016 |
| 24658-999 | 24658-999 | PuraCap Laboratories, LLC | — | September 30, 2021 |
| 64380-844 | 64380-844 | Strides Pharma Science Limited | — | September 13, 2021 |
| 72664-217 | 72664-217 | VGYAAN Pharmaceuticals LLC | — | October 25, 2020 |
| 70771-1524 | 70771-1524 | Zydus Lifesciences Limited | — | January 21, 2021 |
| 70710-1483 | 70710-1483 | Zydus Pharmaceuticals (USA) Inc. | — | January 21, 2021 |
Sources for this page
| Dataset | Agency | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| NDC Directory | FDA | Identity, ingredients, strengths, forms, routes, labelers, packages |
| Drugs@FDA | FDA | Application, sponsor, submissions, review documents, marketing status |
| Orange Book | FDA | Therapeutic equivalence codes, reference drug flags, patents, exclusivity |
| Drug Labeling | FDA / NLM | Prescribing information reproduced above |
| FAERS | FDA | Adverse event report counts |
| Drug Shortages | FDA | Supply availability |
Generated September 25, 2026 · 13 sections on this page.