This page presents data from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) and the FDA-approved drug label. A report submitted to FAERS does not prove a drug caused the reported event. Always consult a healthcare provider about medications.
Ursodiol is the brand name for ursosiol. According to the FDA-approved label, 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. FAERS contains 18,718 submissions naming this drug from 2004 through 2026; the top three reactions cited are off label use, pruritus, and diarrhoea.
Most-Reported Reactions
Counts of the reactions most often cited in FAERS submissions that named Ursodiol. Inclusion here does not establish causation - submitters describe what was observed, not what was confirmed. One submission can list several reactions, so the totals exceed the report count.
Patient Demographics
Patient sex and age across the FAERS submissions that named Ursodiol. Percentages here are computed only from submissions where these fields were filled in - many leave them blank.
By Sex
By Age Group
Severity Outcomes
Severity flags recorded across the 18,718 FAERS submissions that named Ursodiol. Each bar shows the count of those reports carrying that flag. A single case can carry more than one (a hospitalization that became life-threatening, for example), so these bars are independent rates - they don't sum to 100%. Inclusion of a case under any flag does not establish that the drug caused the outcome.
Submissions Per Quarter
Quarterly count of FAERS submissions that named Ursodiol. Ups and downs on this chart can track prescribing volume, news cycles, or shifts in how reports get filed, rather than the drug becoming safer or more dangerous.
From the FDA-Approved Label
Excerpts from the official FDA-approved prescribing information for Ursodiol. This is the authoritative source on indications, warnings, and known adverse reactions.
Indications
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. Ursodiol capsules are indicated for the prevention of gallstone formation in obese patients experiencing rapid weight loss.
Warnings
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 (from label)
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 8 - 10 mg/kg/day (N = 155) Placebo (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. (continues in label)
AdverseEvent.ai is not affiliated with the FDA. Adverse-event counts come from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Drug labels come from the FDA drug label dataset. A report submitted to FAERS does not prove a drug caused the reported event — always consult a healthcare provider about medications. This site is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice.
