by EBSCO Medical Review Board

Here are the basics about each of the medicines below. Only common problems with them are listed.

Prescription Medicines

Over the Counter Medicines

Prescription Medicines

Bile Acids
  • Ursodeoxycholic acid
  • Chenodeoxycholic acid

Bile acids are used to dissolve cholesterol gallstones in a person who has a serious health problem that prevents surgery. It may take months or years before all the stones dissolve.

Note: Ursodeoxycholic acid should not be taken with aluminum-containing antacids, such as AlternaGEL or Maalox Advanced Regular Strength. The aluminum may make it hard for ursodeoxycholic acid to work as it should.

A possible side effect is mild diarrhea .

Pain Medicines
  • Diclofenac
  • Ketorolac

These are prescription NSAIDs used to ease pain caused by gallstones.

Some problems may be:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea or constipation
  • Lightheadedness
  • Drowsiness

Over the Counter Medicines

  • NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, to control pain

References

Gallstones. Cleveland Clinic website. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/7313-gallstones. Accessed March 17, 2022.

Gallstones. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/gallstones. Accessed March 17, 2022.

Gallstones. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website. Available at: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/gallstones. Accessed March 17, 2022.

Revision Information