Your doctor might be able to use sound wave therapy to break up the stones so they can move into the intestine without problem. However, only 1 of 5 people can have this treatment. People who have this treatment often form new gallstones after a few years. Or you might take a pill called Actigall to dissolve the stones. This pill only works in a few people, and it can be very expensive.
Surgery is still the best way to cure gallstones for many people.
Talk with your doctor about what is right for you. This handout provides a general overview on this topic and may not apply to everyone. To find out if this handout applies to you and to get more information on this subject, talk to your family doctor. Visit familydoctor.org for more useful information on this and many other health-related topics. Permission is granted to reproduce this material for nonprofit educational purposes.