Skip to Accessibility MenuSkip to LoginSkip to ContentSkip to Footer

Ursodiol / Ursodeoxycholic Acid (UDCA)

Editorial Team's avatar image

By Editorial Team

2 min read

Reviewed by: HU Medical Review Board | Last reviewed: December 2025 | Last updated: January 2026

Ursodeoxycholic acid (also known as ursodiol or UDCA) is the first-line medication used to treat primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). UDCA slows liver damage for over half of people with PBC.1

This article covers how UDCA is used to treat PBC. It also explains common side effects. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of UDCA.

What are the ingredients in UDCA?

The active ingredient is ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). UDCA is a natural bile acid. Normal human bile contains small amounts of UDCA.2

Several brand names of UDCA are available. These include:3

  • Actigall™
  • Urso™
  • Urso Forte™

How does UDCA work?

UDCA has been used for decades to treat PBC. It was the first drug approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat PBC. UDCA helps move bile through the liver. This improves liver function and reduces liver scarring.4

By providing your email address, you are agreeing to our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use.

When you take UDCA, it replaces toxic bile acids that build up in your bile ducts and cause damage to the liver cells. It also helps with increasing the flow of bile and reducing the immune reaction in the liver.2,4

Research has shown that UDCA delays the progression of PBC. After 10 years of treatment with UDCA, 80 percent of people with PBC live without a liver transplant. This rate is 60 percent for people who do not take UDCA. However, UDCA does not work well in 40 percent of people with PBC.1,4

What are the possible side effects of UDCA?

Side effects of UDCA are rare and usually mild. The most common side effects of UDCA include:2,5

  • Abdominal pain
  • Weight gain
  • Hair thinning or loss
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Skin reactions, such as itching and rash

These are not all the possible side effects of UDCA. Talk to your doctor about what to expect when taking UDCA. Call your doctor if you have any changes that concern you when taking UDCA.

Other things to know about UDCA

Take UDCA as your doctor prescribes. It comes as either a tablet or a capsule. You may take UDCA several times a day with food.2

Before beginning treatment for PBC, tell your doctor about all your health conditions. UDCA should not be taken if you have bile duct blockage. Talk to your doctor about other drugs, vitamins, or supplements you take. This includes over-the-counter drugs. UDCA can interfere with other conditions and drugs.2

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. There is limited research on the safety of UDCA in these cases. Your doctor may use extra caution.2,3

During treatment, your doctor will monitor your liver function. This can help decide whether to add or change medications. Doctors will do monthly blood tests for 3 months after starting treatment. They may then do blood tests every 6 months.2

Treatment results and side effects can vary from person to person. This treatment information is not meant to replace professional medical advice. Talk to your doctor about what to expect before starting and while taking any treatment.