Guide To Diagnosing And Treating Gallstones

Medication To Dissolve Gallstones

An individual who is not able to undergo a surgical procedure to remove their gallbladder or who elects not to have surgery may choose to try medication to dissolve their gallstones. Medication treatment with certain acids like chenodiol and ursodiol is reserved for individuals who have gallstones that are both made of cholesterol and small in size. It can take an average of two years for these medications to be effective at dissolving gallstones. These medications are also used long-term in patients who have already had a surgical procedure on their gallbladder to remove the gallstones to stop the stones from forming again. Gallstones can also be dissolved in some patients who are unable to undergo surgery with the use of certain substances injected into the gallbladder. The injection contains a solvent referred to as methyl-butyl ether or MTBE, which dissolves the gallstones within a time frame of between five and twelve hours following the injection.