Choice of effective drugs to destroy gallstones

Gallstones are one of the many diseases that attack the digestive system. These stones form in the gallbladder due to excessive cholesterol and bilirubin. If not treated immediately, the condition will get worse. So, what are the drugs that are usually taken to destroy gallstones? Come on, see the following recommendations.

Medicines to relieve symptoms of gallstones

The gallbladder is a container filled with bile. This fluid will later function to digest fat, one of which is cholesterol. When the amount of cholesterol is more than bile, cholesterol will remain, settle, and eventually become rocks.

The presence of gallstones will cause various disturbing symptoms, such as upper right abdominal pain that penetrates the back, accompanied by nausea and vomiting.

Without proper treatment, symptoms can get worse. In fact, it causes complications, such as cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder) or pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreatitis). According to Winchester Hospital, in order to avoid severe gallstone symptoms and complications, several drugs can be used as a mainstay, including:

1. Pain relievers

This drug does not work as a gallstone destroyer, but rather as a reliever for pain symptoms in the stomach and back. There are many pain relievers available at both pharmacies and stores and can be obtained either with or without a doctor's prescription.

The type of pain reliever drug caused by gallstones that is usually the first choice is acetaminophen. If this drug is not effective enough, a type of NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) can be used as a substitute, such as aspirin, naproxen (Aleve), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), diclofenac, or ketorolac.

If the drugs mentioned are not effective at relieving pain, the doctor will prescribe a higher dose of NSAIDs.

Although generally available without a prescription, these drugs still have side effects, such as stomach pain, dizziness, headaches, and bleeding in the stomach lining.

2. Sequestrant bile acids

It has been explained previously that excessive cholesterol is the cause of gallstones. Therefore, drugs to lower bad cholesterol levels in the body can be used as treatment. One of them is sequestrant bile acids, such as cholestyramine (Questran, Prevalite), colestipol (Colestid, Flavored Colestid), and colesevelam (Welchol).

This gallstone medication works by binding to bile acids in the intestines and increasing the excretion of bile acids in the feces. That way, this will reduce the amount of bile acids returning to the liver and stimulate the liver to produce more replacement bile acids.

In order for the production of bile acids to increase, the liver will use more cholesterol. That is why cholesterol levels in the blood may decrease after taking this medicine.

Low doses of this gallstone medication can lower cholesterol levels by as much as 10 to 15 percent. Meanwhile, for high doses, cholesterol levels can be reduced by 25 percent. Like other drugs, sequestrant bile acids also cause side effects, such as constipation, diarrhea, and heartburn.

If you are taking warfarin, it should be taken 1 hour before or 4 to 6 hours after.

3. Ursodiol (Ursodeoxycholic acid)

The drug that breaks down gallstones is ursodiol (Ursodeoxycholic acid). Usually, the drug is used if the size of the gallstone is not more than 20 mm.

This medication can and should be used for months to prevent relapse.

This drug is usually used in conjunction with sequestrant bile acids because their absorption is not impaired. In addition, ursodiol can also cause side effects, such as diarrhea and skin rashes.

4.Chenodiol (Chenodeoxycholic acid)

This drug is very commonly used as a gallstone crusher. However, not everyone can use this drug, especially those who have liver problems. Likewise with pregnant women and nursing mothers because it can cause birth defects and flow into breast milk.

If gallstones have caused inflammation of the pancreas, this drug also needs to be avoided. This medication needs to be taken by mouth until the gallstones are completely destroyed, but not for more than 2 years.

Side effects that may occur during chenodiol use are stomach upset and low white blood cells. Therefore, during the period of chenodiol treatment, you need to have regular blood tests.

5. Antibiotics

Antibiotics are used as drugs to cure diseases caused by bacterial infections. Well, gallstones are not caused by a bacterial infection, so you don't use this drug. However, if the gallstones have caused complications, the doctor will usually prescribe antibiotics.

Gallstones that cause blockage can become a "base" for bacteria to multiply. As a result, the bacteria will infect and cause inflammation. This condition needs to be treated with antibiotics. This medicine is also given after you have had gallstone surgery.

Please note that gallstones are a disease that requires medical attention. Therefore, before using the drug, consult your doctor first. Moreover, not everyone is suitable to use the same drug because the body reacts differently to certain medications.

You also need to consult a doctor if the drugs you are taking cause annoying side effects. The doctor will prescribe another drug that is safer but with the same function.

Treatment if gallstone medications don't work

If the gallstone medications listed above do not relieve your symptoms, your doctor will recommend other treatments, including:

Extrotorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ECSWL).Treatment to break up gallstones uses shock waves through the soft tissues in the body. Usually this procedure is performed when the gallstones are less than 2 cm in diameter.
MTBE (methyl tertiary-butyl ether). Treatment by injecting solvent methyl tertiary-butyl ether to dissolve gallstones. Unfortunately, this treatment can cause a severe burning sensation.
Percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC).This procedure uses a needle to draw fluid in the gallbladder and insert a catheter through the skin to drain the fluid. Afterward, surgical removal of the gallbladder or placing an endoscopic stent between the gallbladder and the digestive tract.

Just like determining gallstone medications, the selection of the right treatment must be evaluated first. Your doctor may ask you to do further tests to determine the right treatment by considering the benefits and possible side effects.