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The capsules should be swallowed whole with sufficient liquid.
To dissolve cholesterol gallstones: Dosage: The recommended dose is about 10 mg ursodeoxycholic acid per kg body weight (BW) daily, as follows: See Table 1.
Click on icon to see table/diagram/imageMethod of administration: The capsules should be swallowed whole with a drink of water or other liquid. Take the capsules in the evening at bedtime. Take the medicine regularly.
Duration of treatment: It generally takes 6-24 months to dissolve gallstones. If there is no reduction in the size of the gallstones after 12 months, therapy should be stopped.
Every 6 months, the doctor should check whether the treatment is working. At each of these follow-up examinations, it should be checked whether a build-up of calcium causing hardening of the stones has occurred since the last time. If this happens, the treatment will be stopped.
To treat bile reflux gastritis: Method of administration: One capsule a day should be taken in the evening before bedtime. The capsule should be swallowed whole (not chewed) with some liquid.
Duration of treatment: To treat bile reflux gastritis, Ursodeoxycholic acid should generally be taken for 10-14 days. The doctor will decide on the duration of treatment, depending on the progression of the disease.
For primary biliary cholangitis (chronic inflammatory disease of the biliary ducts): Dosage: During the first 3 months of treatment, Ursodeoxycholic acid should be taken in the morning, at midday and in the evening. As liver function values improve, the total daily dose can be taken once daily in the evening. (See Table 2.)
Click on icon to see table/diagram/imageMethod of administration: The capsules should be swallowed whole with a drink of water or other liquid. Take the medicine regularly.
Duration of treatment: Ursodeoxycholic acid may be continued indefinitely in cases of primary biliary cholangitis.
Note: If the patient has primary biliary cholangitis, the symptoms may worsen at the start of treatment. One sign of this may be increased itching. This happens only in rare cases. In this event, treatment can be continued with a reduced daily dose of Ursodeoxycholic acid. The doctor will then increase the daily dose every week, until the required dose is once again reached.
Use in children (6 to 18 years) for treatment of liver disease associated with cystic fibrosis: The recommended dose is about 20 mg/kg/day in 2-3 divided doses. If necessary the doctor may increase the dose further to 30 mg per kg body weight daily. (See Table 3.)
Click on icon to see table/diagram/imageBe advised if the patient feels that the effect of Ursodeoxycholic acid is too strong or too weak.
If Ursodeoxycholic acid was taken more than it should: Diarrhoea may occur in the event of an overdose. The doctor must be informed immediately if the patient has persistent diarrhoea. If the patient does suffer from diarrhoea, make sure he/she drinks enough liquids to replace the fluid and electrolyte balance.
If Ursodeoxycholic acid was forgotten to be taken: Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose, but just continue the treatment with the prescribed dose.
If the patient stopped taking Ursodeoxycholic acid: The doctor should always be advised before the patient decides to interrupt treatment with Ursodeoxycholic acid or to stop the treatment early.
