What are the efficacy and side effects of Ursodeoxycholic Acid Capsules?

　　Under normal circumstances, the effects of ursodeoxycholic acid capsules include dissolving gallstones, promoting bile flow, protecting liver cells, immunomodulation, and preventing stone recurrence. Side effects of ursodeoxycholic acid capsules include gastrointestinal discomfort, allergic reactions, dizziness and headaches, fatigue, and taste disturbances. If use is necessary, it is recommended to follow medical advice. Detailed explanations are as follows:

　　I. Effects of Ursodeoxycholic Acid Capsules

　　1. Dissolving Gallstones

　　This medication can alter the ratio of bile salts, cholesterol, and lecithin in bile, making cholesterol more easily dissolved in bile, thereby promoting the gradual dissolution of cholesterol gallstones, reducing stone volume, and lowering the risk of symptoms such as pain caused by stones.

　　2. Promoting Bile Flow

　　The drug can stimulate bile secretion, increase bile flow, and allow bile to drain more smoothly, helping to flush the bile ducts, preventing bile stasis, and playing a positive role in maintaining normal biliary system function.

　　3. Protecting Liver Cells

　　The medication can inhibit bile acid toxicity within liver cells, reduce damage to liver cells caused by bile acids, stabilize liver cell membranes, thus protecting liver cells and aiding in liver function recovery and maintenance.

　　4. Immunomodulation

　　The drug has certain immunomodulatory effects, regulating immune cell function in the liver, suppressing immune attacks on liver cells, reducing inflammatory responses, and helping to control liver inflammation.

　　5. Preventing Stone Recurrence

　　After gallstone treatment, long-term use of ursodeoxycholic acid capsules can maintain the normal composition of bile, reduce cholesterol saturation, and effectively prevent the recurrence of gallstones.

　　II. Side Effects of Ursodeoxycholic Acid Capsules

　　1. Gastrointestinal Discomfort

　　Ursodeoxycholic acid capsules may irritate the intestines, accelerate intestinal peristalsis, leading to diarrhea; they may also affect the normal digestive and emptying functions of the gastrointestinal tract, causing nausea and vomiting.

　　2. Allergic Reactions

　　In some patients, the immune system may recognize ursodeoxycholic acid capsules as foreign antigens, triggering an immune response and releasing substances such as histamine, resulting in allergic symptoms such as rash and itching.

　　3. Dizziness and Headache

　　The medication may affect cerebral blood circulation or the nervous system's regulatory functions, thereby causing dizziness and headache, which may impact daily work and life, leading to issues such as difficulty concentrating and reduced work efficiency.

　　4. Fatigue

　　The drug may interfere with the body's metabolic processes or energy production mechanisms, causing insufficient energy supply, leading to fatigue and affecting normal physical activities and exercise.

　　5. Taste Disturbances

　　Ursodeoxycholic acid capsules may affect taste receptors or taste signal pathways, causing taste changes such as bitter taste in the mouth, reduced taste sensitivity, or loss of taste.

　　During the use of ursodeoxycholic acid capsules, one should avoid consuming overly greasy and high-fat foods, as these foods may stimulate bile secretion, potentially increasing the burden on the liver and biliary system, affecting the therapeutic effect of the medication, and possibly increasing the risk of gastrointestinal discomfort and other side effects.