Ursoliv/Ursoliv 500 Drug Interactions

Ursoliv: Should not be taken at the same time as antacids containing aluminium, cholestyramine, colestipol, antihyperlipidemics, especially clofibrate, estrogens, neomycin, oral contraceptives or progestins as these preparations bind Ursodeoxycholic acid in the intestine, thus impairing absorption and efficacy.
Ursoliv 500: Ursodeoxycholic Acid (Ursoliv) film-coated tablets should not be administered concomitantly with colestyramine, colestipol or antacids containing aluminium hydroxide and/or smectite (aluminium oxide), because these preparations bind ursodeoxycholic acid in the intestine and thereby inhibit its absorption and efficacy. Should the use of a preparation containing one of these substances be necessary, it must be taken at least 2 hours before or after Ursodeoxycholic Acid (Ursoliv) film-coated tablets.
Ursodeoxycholic Acid (Ursoliv) film-coated tablets can affect the absorption of ciclosporin from the intestine. In patients receiving ciclosporin treatment, blood concentrations of this substance should therefore be checked by physician and the ciclosporin dose adjusted if necessary.
In isolated cases, Ursodeoxycholic Acid (Ursoliv) film-coated tablets can reduce the absorption of ciprofloxacin.
In a clinical study in healthy volunteers concomitant use of UDCA (500 mg/day) and rosuvastatin (20 mg/day) resulted in slightly elevated plasma levels of rosuvastatin. The clinical relevance of this interaction also with regard to other statins is unknown.
UDCA has been shown to reduce peak plasma concentrations (Cmax) and area under the curve (AUC) of the calcium antagonist nitrendipine in healthy volunteers. Close monitoring of the outcome of concurrent use of nitrendipine and UDCA is recommended. An increase of the dose of nitrendipine may be necessary.
An interaction with a reduction of the therapeutic effect of dapsone was also reported.
These observations, together with in-vitro findings could indicate a potential for UDCA to induce cytochrome P450 3A enzymes. Induction has, however, not been observed in a well-designed interaction study with budesonide, which is a known cytochrome P450 3A substrate.
Oestrogenic hormones and blood cholesterol lowering agents such as clofibrate increase hepatic cholesterol secretion and may therefore encourage biliary lithiasis, which is a counter-effect to UDCA used for dissolution of gallstones.