Ursodiol Coupons & Prices

Looking for an ursodiol coupon? Ursodiol (also sold under the brand names Actigall, Urso 250, and Urso Forte) is available as a lower-cost generic, but the cash price still varies widely from one pharmacy to the next. Rx.com compares ursodiol prices across more than 60,000 U.S. pharmacies so you can find the lowest price near you. Enter your ZIP above to see today's price and print or show a free coupon at the pharmacy counter.

What is ursodiol and how does it work?

Ursodiol, also called ursodeoxycholic acid or UDCA, is a naturally occurring bile acid. It belongs to the drug class of bile acid or gallstone dissolution agents. It is FDA-approved to treat primary biliary cholangitis (PBC, formerly called primary biliary cirrhosis), to dissolve certain radiolucent, noncalcified cholesterol gallstones in people who cannot have or do not want gallbladder surgery, and to help prevent gallstones from forming in people undergoing rapid weight loss.

Ursodiol works by reducing the amount of cholesterol the liver produces and releases into bile, and by slowly dissolving the cholesterol that makes up certain gallstones. In liver conditions like PBC, it also helps move bile through the liver. It is a prescription medication and should only be used under the guidance of your doctor.

Ursodiol cost without insurance and how to save

Because ursodiol is available as a generic, it is often already low-cost compared with brand-name versions. Even so, the cash price without insurance can differ a great deal between pharmacies for the exact same medication, which is why comparing prices matters. Rx.com checks ursodiol prices at more than 60,000 pharmacies so you can see who has the best price in your area.

To find your price, enter your ZIP code above to see today's price at nearby pharmacies. Then print, save, or show the free Rx.com coupon when you fill your prescription. There is no manufacturer savings card for generic ursodiol, so comparison shopping is usually the best way to lower your out-of-pocket cost. The coupon can be used whether or not you have insurance, and you can choose whichever price is lower.

Ursodiol brand names and related medicines

Ursodiol is the generic form of several brand-name products, including Actigall and Urso (Urso 250 and Urso Forte). In most cases the generic contains the same active ingredient and works the same way, usually at a lower cost. If you were prescribed a brand, ask your doctor or pharmacist whether the generic is right for you.

Depending on your condition, your doctor may also discuss other medicines. For primary biliary cholangitis, obeticholic acid is another prescription option. Cholestyramine, a bile acid sequestrant, is sometimes used to relieve itching related to cholestasis, though it should be taken separately from ursodiol because it can reduce absorption. Your provider can help you compare these options.

Ursodiol safety and side effects

Ursodiol has no boxed warning, and the most common side effects are diarrhea and other stomach or digestive upset. It is not effective for calcified cholesterol stones, radiopaque stones, or radiolucent bile pigment stones. It should not be used by people with a known allergy to it, and it is generally avoided in complete biliary obstruction, acute inflammation of the gallbladder or bile ducts, a biliary-gastrointestinal fistula, or chronic liver disease not related to PBC.

Dissolving gallstones with ursodiol can take many months, and stones may come back after treatment stops, so your doctor will usually order periodic liver function tests during treatment. Bile acid sequestrants such as cholestyramine and colestipol, and aluminum-based antacids, can reduce how well ursodiol is absorbed, so spacing these out may be recommended. This information is not medical advice; talk with your doctor or pharmacist about your full health history and any other medicines you take.