Actigall Information, Warnings, and Contraindications
Guinea Lynx member sef1268 recently compiled this concise, informative summary about Actigall (original thread):
- Generic Name: Ursodiol
- Usage
May be useful for treatment of hepatobiliary [liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, or bile] disease in dogs/cats. May also be used for cholesterol containing gallstones. - Warnings/Contraindications
Ursodiol is contraindicated in rabbits and other hindgut fermenters as it is converted into lithocholic acid (toxic).
Lithocholic acid is a known hepatotoxin.
Ursodiol will not dissolve calcified radiopaque stones or radiolucent bile pigment stones. - Source
Donald C. Plumb, Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook; Wiley-Blackwell, 6th edition (June 16, 2008) - Conclusion
Results from using Actigall to treat bladder stones in guinea pigs have been inconclusive, and its safety and efficacy are still largely undetermined.
Cavy owners should carefully weigh the risks of using this drug, and discuss with their veterinarian the appropriateness of its use as part of a stone treatment protocol.
Protocols
Talishan's excellent summary, from this thread:
PROTOCOL #1, from Dr. Ella Ahearn, Animal Hospital of Sandy Springs, Atlanta, Georgia:
- Mix 1 300 mg capsule in 4 mL of liquid. Administer 0.25 cc's of this once a day for 4 days.
After that, administer 0.15 cc's of this daily.
https://www.guinealynx.info/forums/viewt ... 93#1237793
- Mix one 300 mg capsule Actigall/Ursodiol with 2cc liquid.
Give 1/2 cc (.5 cc) once daily for 8 days.
Then mix one 300 mg capsule Actigall/Ursodiol with 4cc liquid.
Give 1/2 cc (.5 cc) once daily for a 1-2 months or until stone or sludge is confirmed gone by X-ray.
After that administer lower (weaker) dose once every other day indefinitely if it seems to have helped.
https://www.guinealynx.info/forums/viewt ... 12#1427912
- Dr. Ridgeway writes:
"The dosage we used was:
Mix one 300 mg capsule of Ursodiol (Actigall®) with 2 mls of mixing liquid, give 0.5 cc orally one time a day for 8 days.
Then mix one 300 mg capsule of Ursodiol (Actigall®) with 4 mls of mixing liquid, give 0.5 cc orally daily for 1 – 2 months.
Sincerely,
William V. Ridgeway, Jr., D.V.M.
Long Beach Animal Hospital, Inc.
3816 E. Anaheim Street
Long Beach, CA 90804-4005"
https://www.guinealynx.info/forums/viewt ... 69#1462369
- Henry started out on 0.5 mL of a 150 mg/mL compound for eight days.
After that, he has been on a maintenance dose of 0.5 mL of a 75 mg/ML compound once a day.
Actigall Threads
- Actigall question
New thread for questions about using Actigall long-term. - Valentine's Thread
Pigginess updated Valentine's thread with Dr. R's observations about Actigall. Includes Valentine's x-rays. - Baby Beast's Thread
Baby Beast, a young female, had good results with Actigall and Shilintong.
- Henry's Thread
Grandpa Henry tried Actigall to dissolve a large bladder stone, at nine years old. The stone did not appear to change. - Ozzy's Med Thread
Ozzy recently had a trial of Actigall to dissolve a large bladder stone. The Actigall did not seem to help his situation. - Heart meds for heart murmer?
Discussion of Actigall on Chester's thread. - Ketoprofen for pain by mouth ok?
Recent Actigall questions.