What medication can dissolve gallstones?

Generally, cholesterol gallstones may be treated under medical guidance with medications such as ursodeoxycholic acid capsules, chenodeoxycholic acid tablets, tauroursodeoxycholic acid capsules, lithiasis-relieving and cholagogue tablets, and coin grass granules to attempt dissolution. Specific analyses are as follows:

1. Ursodeoxycholic Acid Capsules

The main ingredient is ursodeoxycholic acid, which inhibits the intestinal absorption of cholesterol, reduces cholesterol concentration in bile, and gradually dissolves cholesterol gallstones. It also promotes bile secretion and improves bile stasis. It is suitable for patients with pure cholesterol gallstones smaller than 2 cm in diameter.

2. Chenodeoxycholic Acid Tablets

This medication inhibits cholesterol synthesis in the liver and reduces cholesterol secretion into bile, making bile cholesterol unsaturated, thereby dissolving existing cholesterol stones. It is suitable for patients with small cholesterol gallstones and no significant cholecystitis.

3. Tauroursodeoxycholic Acid Capsules

A derivative of ursodeoxycholic acid, it has a stronger effect in dissolving cholesterol stones by more rapidly reducing cholesterol saturation in bile and promoting stone dissolution. It also protects hepatocytes and reduces bile-induced liver damage, making it suitable for patients with cholesterol gallstones and bile stasis.

4. Lithiasis-Relieving and Cholagogue Tablets

Composed of ingredients such as *Herba Lysimachiae* (coin grass), *Artemisia capillaris* (yinchen), and *Scutellaria baicalensis* (baikal skullcap), these tablets clear heat, eliminate dampness, promote bile flow, and facilitate stone expulsion. By stimulating bile secretion and gallbladder contraction, they help expel small stones and provide supportive dissolution and stone-removal effects for gallstones caused by internal accumulation of damp-heat. They are suitable for patients with small stones accompanied by mild biliary inflammation.

5. Coin Grass Granules

The main ingredient is *Herba Lysimachiae* (coin grass), which clears heat, eliminates dampness, promotes urination, and facilitates stone passage. It enhances bile flow, reduces bile viscosity, and helps dissolve small cholesterol or sludge-like stones. It also alleviates discomforts associated with gallstones, such as abdominal pain and bitter taste in the mouth. It is suitable for patients with mild gallstone disease.

In daily life, it's important to develop healthy habits: avoid high-fat and high-cholesterol foods such as animal offal and fried foods; maintain regular meals and avoid overeating to reduce the risk of gallstone formation or worsening. If drug treatment proves ineffective, or if the stones are large or symptoms recur frequently, prompt medical consultation is necessary, and surgical intervention should be considered.