Healiva Tablet belongs to a group of medicines called biliary agents or gallstone dissolution agents. These agents are used to treat gallstones, primary biliary cholangitis (an autoimmune disease of the liver), excess cholesterol in the bile, and children above 6 years old with biliary and liver diseases caused by cystic fibrosis. 

Healiva Tablet contains ursodeoxycholic acid, which is a naturally occurring bile acid. Healiva Tablet helps decrease the production of cholesterol in the blood, thereby dissolving gallbladder stones composed mainly of cholesterol. Healiva Tablet has a protective effect on the liver cells from injury caused by toxic bile acids and improves liver function.

Take Healiva Tablet with food. You are advised to take Healiva Tablet as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you, depending on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience certain common side effects such as abdominal discomfort, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, nausea, rash, dizziness, indigestion and weakness. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side effects persistently.

Inform your doctor before taking Healiva Tablet if you have variceal bleeding (high blood pressure in portal veins), ascites (excess abdominal fluid), liver encephalopathy or liver disease. Do not take Healiva Tablet if you are pregnant or breastfeeding unless prescribed. Healiva Tablet can be given to children above 6 years if prescribed by the doctor. Avoid consuming alcohol along with Healiva Tablet as it could lead to increased drowsiness and liver damage. Keep your doctor informed about your health condition and medicines to rule out any side effects.

Healiva Tablet contains ursodeoxycholic acid, which is a naturally occurring bile acid. It belongs to a group of medicines called the biliary agent or gallstone dissolution agents used to treat gallstones, primary biliary cholangitis (an autoimmune disease of the liver), excess cholesterol in bile children above 6 years with biliary and liver diseases caused by cystic fibrosis. Healiva Tablet breaks down the cholesterol that has formed into gall bladder stones, thereby dissolving the stones. Healiva Tablet has a protective effect on the liver cells and the immune system, thereby improving liver function. Healiva Tablet decreases the amount of cholesterol produced by the liver and absorbed by the intestine. In patients with primary biliary cirrhosis, Healiva Tablet increases the bile flow.

• Abdominal discomfort
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhoea
• Nausea
• Fever
• Cough
• Rash
• Dizziness
• Indigestion
• Black or tarry stools
• Frequent and painful urination
• Weakness

Do not take Healiva Tablet if you are allergic to any of its contents, if you have inflammation of gall bladder and bile ducts, narrowing or blockage of bile ducts, biliary colic, calcified gallstones, improper constriction of the gallbladder, gastric or duodenal ulcer. Inform your doctor before taking Healiva Tablet if you have variceal bleeding (high blood pressure in portal veins), ascites (excess abdominal fluid), liver encephalopathy or liver disease. Consult your doctor before taking Healiva Tablet with other medicines as Healiva Tablet might reduce the absorption of antibiotics (ciprofloxacin and dapsone) and antihypertensive agents (nitrendipine), increase the effect of immunosuppressants (cyclosporine), oral contraceptives (oestrogen) and cholesterol-lowering agents (clofibrate) might promote the formation of gallstones. Do not take Healiva Tablet if you are pregnant or breastfeeding unless prescribed. Healiva Tablet can be given to children above 6 years if prescribed by the doctor. Avoid consuming alcohol along with Healiva Tablet as it could lead to increased drowsiness and liver damage. Keep your doctor informed about your health condition and medicines to rule out any unpleasant side effects.

Drug-Drug Interactions: Healiva Tablet may interact with antibiotics (ciprofloxacin and dapsone), antihypertensive agents (nitrendipine), immunosuppressants (cyclosporine), hormones (oestrogen), and antacids (aluminium hydroxide, aluminium carbonate, magaldrate).

Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found/established.

Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have biliary obstruction and liver impairment, variceal bleeding (high blood pressure in portal veins), ascites (excess abdominal fluid), or liver encephalopathy.

• CIPROFLOXACIN
• DAPSONE
• CYCLOSPORINE
• ESTROGEN
• ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE
• ALUMINUM CARBONATE
• NITRENDIPINE
• MAGALDRATE

• Include foods such as bell peppers, citrus fruits, leafy vegetables, tomatoes, milk, fish, low-fat dairy, beans, nuts, lentils, tofu and tempeh in your diet.
• Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet, which includes fruits and vegetables.
• Foods rich in vitamins B and C and calcium are good for the gallbladder.
• Plant-based protein foods such as beans, nuts, lentils, tofu and tempeh help prevent gallbladder disease.
• Avoid high-fat, trans-fat and processed foods.
• White bread, white pasta and sugars should be avoided.
• Avoid tobacco and alcohol consumption.

• Your doctor may recommend regular liver function tests to monitor liver function and the progress of treatment.
• Healiva Tablet may rarely cause thinning and hair loss. If there is excessive hair loss, consult your doctor for further advice.

Primary biliary cholangitis: Primary biliary cholangitis, formerly known as primary biliary cirrhosis, is an autoimmune disease caused by bile duct damage in the liver. Bile ducts are the small channels which carry the bile (digestive fluid) from the liver to the small intestine, where it breaks down fats and aids in its absorption. Biliary cirrhosis causes a build-up of bile in the liver, which leads to liver damage.
Gallbladder stones: Gallbladder is a small organ located below the liver that stores bile and helps with digestion. Excess cholesterol in bile leads to the formation of gallstones. Gallstones can cause pain in the abdomen, dark urine and stools, indigestion, diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting.
Cystic fibrosis: It is a hereditary disease that affects the digestive system and lungs. In this condition, the body produces a thick and sticky fluid that obstructs the pancreas and clogs the lungs.