Ursodeoxycholic acid (udca), also known as ursodiol, is a secondary bile acid, produced in humans and most other species from metabolism by intestinal bacteria. it is synthesized in the liver in some species, and was first identified in bear bile, which is the derivation of its name ursus.
ursodeoxycholic acid is indicated in the treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis (pbc) and for the dissolution of radiolucent gallstones in patients with a functioning gall bladder. hepatobiliary disorders associated with cystic fibrosis in children aged 6 to 18 years.