Actigall is one of the brand names in the United States for ursodiol, the generic name for the medicine. MayoClinic.com reports that Actigall may be prescribed to help people suffering from gallstones. The medication works to dissolve these stones. The drug may also help people lose weight quickly, to aid in the dissolving of gallstones. In addition, Actigall may help people suffering from liver transplant rejection and cirrhosis. Actigall may produce serious and non-serious side effects.
Tachycardia
Actigall may cause a person's heart rate to accelerate; this is a form of arrhythmia known as tachycardia. This condition occurs when the person's resting heart rate exceeds 100 beats per minute. Tachycardia can put extra strain on the heart, and it can cause high blood pressure and, potentially, heart attack. MayoClinic.com recommends contacting the physician as soon as possible if a rapid heartbeat is noticed, as this is a serious side effect.
Constipation and Diarrhea
Gallstones occur because of a hardening of the digestive fluid, called bile. This bile normally enters the intestines to help the person digest food. When bile hardens into gallstones, pain results if the ducts leading to the intestines are blocked. When Actigall works in the body to break up or prevent gallstones, it may cause either constipation or diarrhea, according to Drugs.com. These non-serious side effects of the medication typically stop without medical treatment.
Pain
Actigall may cause pain to occur as a non-serious side effect in several areas of the body, MedlinePlus reports. Pain may occur in the head, throat, back, the various joints of the body or within the muscles. MedlinePlus indicates these side effects typically pass on their own. Other forms of pain may indicate serious problems needing medical attention. For example, the person may experience pain in the bladder or in the stomach. Pain also may manifest in the left or right side of the body.
Nausea
If the person taking Actigall experiences mild nausea, the side effect classifies as non-serious and should pass on its own. If the nausea feels severe and vomiting occurs, MayoClinic.com categorizes these side effects as serious and deserving of medical attention.
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