Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.

It is best to take ursodiol with meals, unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

Take this medicine for the full time of treatment, even if you begin to feel better. If you stop taking this medicine too soon, the gallstones may not dissolve as fast or may not dissolve at all.

It is thought that body weight and the kind of diet the patient follows may affect how fast the stones dissolve and whether new stones will form. However, check with your doctor before going on any diet.

If you are using Urso Forte® tablets:

  • You may break the tablets into halves. To break the tablet easily, place it on a flat surface with the scored section on top. Hold the tablet with your thumbs placed close to the groove then apply gentle pressure until it breaks apart. Swallow each segment with water. Do not chew it.
  • Due to the bitter taste, store the half-tablets or segments separately from the whole tablets. Half-tablets can be used for up to 28 days when kept in the medicine bottle.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For oral dosage form (capsules):
    • For gallstone disease:
      • Adults—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is usually 8 to 10 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight per day, divided into 2 or 3 doses.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For prevention of gallstones during rapid weight loss:
      • Adults—300 milligrams (mg) 2 times a day.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For oral dosage form (tablets):
    • For primary biliary cirrhosis:
      • Adults—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is usually 13 to 15 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight per day, divided into 2 to 4 doses. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

Call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

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