What is Ursodeoxycholic acid?
A naturally occurring bile acid that changes the composition of bile. Prescribed to dissolve small cholesterol gallstones, to prevent gallstones during rapid weight loss, and for primary biliary cholangitis (PBC).
How well studied is Ursodeoxycholic acid?
Approved for decades; clinically established in PBC and gallstone dissolution.
What side effects and risks does Ursodeoxycholic acid have?
Diarrhoea, stomach upset, hair loss; rarely liver problems (nausea, itching, dark urine, pale stools). Not with bile duct obstruction. Aluminium antacids and cholestyramine reduce absorption; oestrogens/the pill may interact. Link to GLP-1: rapid weight loss raises gallstone risk – whether prevention makes sense is the doctor's call; right upper abdominal pain, fever or jaundice need urgent medical assessment.
Is Ursodeoxycholic acid approved in Germany?
In short: yes. Approved in Germany/EU, prescription-only. Not on the WADA Prohibited List. Taking it without a prescription and medical monitoring – e.g. bought from “peptide shops” – is dangerous: unknown quality, no lab checks, no adjustment to blood pressure, kidney values or other medicines.
Sources
Note: We deliberately do not list any doses here. For approved medicines, your doctor sets the dose; for unapproved substances there is no reliable information.