URSODIOL

85/100 · Critical

Manufactured by Allergan, Inc.

Ursodiol Adverse Events Show High Seriousness and Diverse Reactions

36,281 FDA adverse event reports analyzed

Last updated: 2026-05-12

About URSODIOL

URSODIOL is a medication tracked in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), manufactured by Allergan, Inc.. Based on analysis of 36,281 FDA adverse event reports, URSODIOL has a safety score of 85 out of 100. This score indicates a relatively favorable safety profile, with fewer or less severe adverse events compared to many other tracked medications. The most commonly reported adverse reactions for URSODIOL include OFF LABEL USE, PRURITUS, DIARRHOEA, FATIGUE, NAUSEA. This page provides a comprehensive breakdown of reported side effects, safety signals, patient demographics, and AI-powered safety analysis for URSODIOL.

AI Safety Analysis

Ursodiol has a safety concern score of 85 out of 100, placing it in the high concern category based on analysis of FDA adverse event data. The FDA has received approximately 36,281 adverse event reports for this medication, which is primarily manufactured by Allergan, Inc..

The most commonly reported adverse events include Off Label Use, Pruritus, Diarrhoea. Of classified reports, 80.6% were designated as serious by the FDA, meaning they involved hospitalization, disability, or other significant medical outcomes. High percentage of serious adverse events (80.6%) indicates significant safety concerns.

A wide range of reactions reported, including liver and kidney issues, infections, and hematological abnormalities. Reports of fatalities and severe conditions like hepatic failure and sepsis are notable.

Patients taking Ursodiol should monitor for the commonly reported side effects and contact their healthcare provider if they experience any unusual symptoms. Ursodiol can cause drug interactions, particularly with other hepatotoxic or nephrotoxic drugs. Warnings are issued for patients with pre-existing liver or kidney conditions. This analysis is based on voluntary FDA adverse event reports and should not replace professional medical advice.

Safety Score: 85/100

Ursodiol received a safety concern score of 85/100 (high concern). This is based on a 80.6% serious event ratio across 20,386 classified reports. The score accounts for 36,281 total adverse event reports and 100 distinct reaction types. This high score reflects a significant proportion of serious adverse events in the reporting data.

Top Adverse Reactions

OFF LABEL USE1,622 reports
PRURITUS1,240 reports
DIARRHOEA1,145 reports
FATIGUE1,027 reports
NAUSEA1,009 reports
PYREXIA947 reports
DRUG INEFFECTIVE887 reports
PNEUMONIA733 reports
DEATH684 reports
VOMITING647 reports
HEADACHE585 reports
DYSPNOEA558 reports
RASH535 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN526 reports
DECREASED APPETITE520 reports
ANAEMIA499 reports
ASTHENIA480 reports
DIZZINESS471 reports
MALAISE454 reports
PAIN435 reports
FEBRILE NEUTROPENIA431 reports
SEPSIS429 reports
PLATELET COUNT DECREASED424 reports
ARTHRALGIA417 reports
COUGH404 reports
WEIGHT DECREASED403 reports
ALANINE AMINOTRANSFERASE INCREASED402 reports
HEPATIC FUNCTION ABNORMAL400 reports
CONDITION AGGRAVATED399 reports
CONSTIPATION390 reports
ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY382 reports
ASPARTATE AMINOTRANSFERASE INCREASED374 reports
BLOOD BILIRUBIN INCREASED361 reports
LIVER DISORDER361 reports
ASCITES353 reports
HEPATIC FAILURE349 reports
THROMBOCYTOPENIA349 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN UPPER347 reports
PRODUCT DOSE OMISSION ISSUE327 reports
FALL324 reports
WEIGHT INCREASED319 reports
RENAL FAILURE317 reports
HYPERTENSION315 reports
INFECTION313 reports
HOSPITALISATION307 reports
NEUTROPENIA303 reports
BLOOD ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE INCREASED300 reports
MUCOSAL INFLAMMATION293 reports
INSOMNIA287 reports
HYPOTENSION282 reports
VENOOCCLUSIVE LIVER DISEASE282 reports
WHITE BLOOD CELL COUNT DECREASED276 reports
PRODUCT USE IN UNAPPROVED INDICATION271 reports
COVID 19268 reports
RENAL IMPAIRMENT248 reports
ABDOMINAL DISTENSION245 reports
HEPATIC ENZYME INCREASED244 reports
OEDEMA PERIPHERAL244 reports
HAEMOGLOBIN DECREASED243 reports
BACK PAIN240 reports
RESPIRATORY FAILURE240 reports
DRUG INTERACTION237 reports
ANXIETY236 reports
PLEURAL EFFUSION235 reports
INFECTIVE PULMONARY EXACERBATION OF CYSTIC FIBROSIS232 reports
PAIN IN EXTREMITY232 reports
DEHYDRATION231 reports
INTERSTITIAL LUNG DISEASE231 reports
APLASTIC ANAEMIA227 reports
SEPTIC SHOCK224 reports
JAUNDICE223 reports
URINARY TRACT INFECTION221 reports
SOMNOLENCE217 reports
ABDOMINAL DISCOMFORT211 reports
PANCYTOPENIA211 reports
MATERNAL EXPOSURE DURING PREGNANCY209 reports
HEPATIC CIRRHOSIS206 reports
DISEASE PROGRESSION203 reports
BLOOD PRESSURE INCREASED202 reports
DEPRESSION202 reports
CONFUSIONAL STATE195 reports
NASOPHARYNGITIS195 reports
PRODUCT USE ISSUE195 reports
STOMATITIS190 reports
CHEST PAIN187 reports
FOETAL EXPOSURE DURING PREGNANCY186 reports
MULTIPLE ORGAN DYSFUNCTION SYNDROME186 reports
BLOOD CREATININE INCREASED184 reports
VENOOCCLUSIVE DISEASE184 reports
INFLUENZA183 reports
GAMMA GLUTAMYLTRANSFERASE INCREASED181 reports
ALOPECIA177 reports
GENERAL PHYSICAL HEALTH DETERIORATION177 reports
HEPATIC ENCEPHALOPATHY177 reports
THERAPY INTERRUPTED177 reports
FEELING ABNORMAL174 reports
GASTROINTESTINAL HAEMORRHAGE174 reports
TOXICITY TO VARIOUS AGENTS170 reports
MYALGIA166 reports
PERIPHERAL SWELLING166 reports

Key Safety Signals

  • Liver and kidney function abnormalities are frequently reported, with increased liver enzymes and bilirubin.
  • Significant number of serious infections and sepsis cases.
  • Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and respiratory failure are also reported.

Patient Demographics

Adverse event reports by sex: Female: 10,164, Male: 7,932, Unknown: 7. The most frequently reported age groups are age 60 (339 reports), age 68 (328 reports), age 64 (307 reports). These demographics reflect reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Report Outcomes

Out of 20,386 classified reports for URSODIOL:

  • Serious: 16,436 reports (80.6%) — includes hospitalization, disability, life-threatening events, or death
  • Non-Serious: 3,950 reports (19.4%)
Serious 80.6%Non-Serious 19.4%

The FDA classifies an adverse event as “serious” if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, congenital anomaly, or requires intervention to prevent permanent damage.

Demographics Breakdown

Reports by Sex

Female10,164 (56.1%)
Male7,932 (43.8%)
Unknown7 (0.0%)

Reports by Age

Age 60339 reports
Age 68328 reports
Age 64307 reports
Age 62303 reports
Age 67300 reports
Age 58298 reports
Age 65298 reports
Age 61296 reports
Age 69294 reports
Age 63291 reports
Age 66291 reports
Age 70275 reports
Age 59272 reports
Age 57264 reports
Age 71260 reports
Age 56255 reports
Age 76249 reports
Age 75242 reports
Age 72232 reports
Age 55231 reports

Demographics reflect voluntary FDA adverse event reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Drug Interactions & Warnings

Ursodiol can cause drug interactions, particularly with other hepatotoxic or nephrotoxic drugs. Warnings are issued for patients with pre-existing liver or kidney conditions.

What You Should Know

If you are taking Ursodiol, here are important things to know. The most commonly reported side effects include off label use, pruritus, diarrhoea, fatigue, nausea. While many of these may be mild and temporary, you should contact your healthcare provider if any symptoms are severe or persistent. Monitor for signs of liver or kidney dysfunction, such as jaundice, dark urine, or swelling in the legs. Report any unusual symptoms to healthcare providers promptly. If you experience a serious adverse reaction, seek emergency medical attention immediately or call 911. You can report side effects to the FDA's MedWatch program at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Regulatory Context

Regulatory bodies closely monitor Ursodiol for safety, especially in elderly and patients with pre-existing liver or kidney conditions. Regular liver and kidney function tests are recommended.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many adverse event reports has the FDA received for Ursodiol?

The FDA has received approximately 36,281 adverse event reports associated with Ursodiol. These reports come from healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers through the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Note that the number of reports does not directly indicate the frequency of side effects, as adverse events are voluntarily reported and may be underrepresented.

What are the most commonly reported side effects of Ursodiol?

The most frequently reported adverse events for Ursodiol include Off Label Use, Pruritus, Diarrhoea, Fatigue, Nausea. By volume, the top reported reactions are: Off Label Use (1,622 reports), Pruritus (1,240 reports), Diarrhoea (1,145 reports). These figures reflect FDA adverse event reports and may not represent the true incidence rate of these side effects in all patients taking Ursodiol.

What percentage of Ursodiol adverse event reports are serious?

Out of 20,386 classified reports, 16,436 (80.6%) were classified as serious and 3,950 as non-serious. The FDA classifies an event as "serious" if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, or other medically significant outcomes. A higher serious-event ratio warrants closer attention but does not necessarily mean the drug is unsafe.

Who reports adverse events for Ursodiol (by sex)?

Adverse event reports for Ursodiol break down by patient sex as follows: Female: 10,164, Male: 7,932, Unknown: 7. This distribution reflects reporting patterns rather than actual risk differences between groups. Reporting rates can be influenced by prescribing patterns, disease demographics, and reporting behavior.

What age groups report the most side effects for Ursodiol?

The most frequently reported age groups for Ursodiol adverse events are: age 60: 339 reports, age 68: 328 reports, age 64: 307 reports, age 62: 303 reports, age 67: 300 reports. Age-related reporting patterns can reflect both the demographics of the patient population and potential age-related susceptibility to certain side effects.

Who manufactures Ursodiol?

The primary manufacturer associated with Ursodiol adverse event reports is Allergan, Inc.. Multiple manufacturers may produce generic versions of this drug. The manufacturer listed reflects the most frequently reported brand in FDA adverse event data.

What other side effects have been reported for Ursodiol?

Beyond the most common reactions, other reported adverse events for Ursodiol include: Pyrexia, Drug Ineffective, Pneumonia, Death, Vomiting. Less common side effects can still be clinically significant. Patients should report any unusual symptoms to their healthcare provider.

How do I report a side effect from Ursodiol?

You can report adverse events from Ursodiol to the FDA through their MedWatch program at www.fda.gov/medwatch, by calling 1-800-FDA-1088, or by completing Form FDA 3500. Healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers can all submit reports. Reporting helps the FDA monitor drug safety after approval.

What is Ursodiol's safety score and what does it mean?

Ursodiol has a safety concern score of 85 out of 100 (high concern). This score is calculated from the ratio of serious to non-serious adverse events, the diversity of reported reactions, and the overall volume of reports relative to usage. High percentage of serious adverse events (80.6%) indicates significant safety concerns.

What are the key safety signals for Ursodiol?

Key safety signals identified in Ursodiol's adverse event data include: Liver and kidney function abnormalities are frequently reported, with increased liver enzymes and bilirubin.. Significant number of serious infections and sepsis cases.. Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and respiratory failure are also reported.. These signals are derived from patterns in FDA reports and should be discussed with a healthcare provider for personalized assessment.

Does Ursodiol interact with other drugs?

Ursodiol can cause drug interactions, particularly with other hepatotoxic or nephrotoxic drugs. Warnings are issued for patients with pre-existing liver or kidney conditions. Always inform your healthcare provider about all medications, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs you are taking before starting Ursodiol.

What should patients know before taking Ursodiol?

Monitor for signs of liver or kidney dysfunction, such as jaundice, dark urine, or swelling in the legs. Report any unusual symptoms to healthcare providers promptly.

Are Ursodiol side effects well-documented?

Ursodiol has 36,281 adverse event reports on file with the FDA. A wide range of reactions reported, including liver and kidney issues, infections, and hematological abnormalities. The volume of reports for Ursodiol reflects both the drug's usage level and the vigilance of the reporting community.

What is the FDA's position on Ursodiol?

Regulatory bodies closely monitor Ursodiol for safety, especially in elderly and patients with pre-existing liver or kidney conditions. Regular liver and kidney function tests are recommended. For the most current regulatory information, check the FDA's drug labeling database or consult your pharmacist.

Related Drugs

Drugs related to URSODIOL based on therapeutic use, drug class, or shared indications:

ColestipolCholestyramineCholestipol
Important Disclaimer: This content is generated by AI analysis of FDA adverse event reports and is provided for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Adverse event reports submitted to the FDA do not prove that a medication caused the reported side effect. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. If you experience a serious side effect, contact your doctor or call 911 immediately.