Dissolution of Gallstones
Gallstones are hardened deposits that form inside the gallbladder, most commonly from excess cholesterol in bile. While surgery is often the first choice, dissolution therapy offers a non-surgical option for people with small, cholesterol-based stones who are unfit for an operation or prefer to avoid one.
Medicine used to treat Dissolution of Gallstones
How bile acid therapy dissolves gallstones
The main medicine used is ursodeoxycholic acid, a naturally occurring bile acid that works by reducing the amount of cholesterol the liver secretes into bile. Over time this shifts bile from a state that encourages stone formation to one that gradually dissolves existing cholesterol crystals. Treatment typically continues for several months and is most effective on small, non-calcified stones.
This approach sits within digestive health management generally, alongside diet and lifestyle changes, rather than offering a quick fix. Stones can return after therapy stops if the underlying cause is not addressed, so identifying dietary or metabolic factors matters alongside any medicine.
Symptoms like severe right-sided abdominal pain, fever, or jaundice need prompt medical assessment rather than waiting for dissolution therapy to take effect.