Medications for Gallstones

Read about Medications for Gallstones presented in simple easy to understand language

Oral Dissolution Therapy
It is possible to dissolve some of the cholesterol gallstones with oral medication. The medication is a naturally occurring bile acid called ursodeoxycholic acid or ursodiol. It reduces the amount of cholesterol secreted in bile. The side-effect of drug therapy is mild diarrhoea.

Ursodiol is only effective for cholesterol gallstones and not pigment gallstones. It works only for small gallstones, less than 1.5 cm. in diameter and it also takes1-2 years for the gallstones to dissolve. Gallstones may form again following the cessation of treatment. Due to these limitations, ursodiol generally is used only in individuals with smaller gallstones that are likely to have very high cholesterol content and who are at high risk for surgery because of ill health.

Extracorporeal Shock-Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL)
ESWL is especially effective for stones that are lodged in the bile ducts. ESWL generators produce shock waves that are focused on the gallstone and break it. The resulting pieces of gallstone either drain into the intestine on their own or are extracted endoscopically.