Urso

Urso

     * Generic Name: ursodiol
     * Brand Name: Urso


     * What is ursodiol?
     * What are the possible side effects of ursodiol?
     * What is the most important information I should know about
       ursodiol?
     * What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
       ursodiol?
     * How should I take ursodiol?
     * What happens if I miss a dose?
     * What happens if I overdose?
     * What should I avoid while taking ursodiol?
     * What other drugs will affect ursodiol?
     * Where can I get more information?

What is ursodiol?

   Ursodiol is a bile acid that decreases the amount of
   cholesterol produced by the liver and absorbed by the intestines.
   Ursodiol helps break down cholesterol that has formed into stones in
   the gallbladder. Ursodiol also increases bile flow in patients
   with primary biliary cirrhosis.

   Ursodiol is used to treat primary biliary cirrhosis.

   Ursodiol capsules are used to treat small gallstones in people who
   cannot have gallbladder surgery, and to prevent gallstones in
   overweight patients undergoing rapid weight loss. Ursodiol capsules
   are not for treating gallstones that are calcified

   Ursodiol may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication
   guide.

What are the possible side effects of ursodiol?

   Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an
   allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face,
   lips, tongue, or throat.

   Call your doctor at once if you have:
     * liver problems--nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling,
       loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools,
       jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
     * signs of a new infection--sudden weakness or ill feeling,
       fever, chills, sore throat, mouth sores, skin sores,
       trouble swallowing.

   Common side effects may include:
     * headache, dizziness;
     * mild stomach pain or discomfort;
     * nausea, diarrhea, constipation;
     * cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore
       throat;
     * hair loss; or
     * mild itching or rash.

   This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call
   your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side
   effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about ursodiol?

   You should not use ursodiol if you have an obstruction in your liver or
   gallbladder.

   Urso Patient Information including How Should I Take
   Hepatitis:A Visual Guide to Hepatitis

   A Visual Guide to Hepatitis Slideshow
 

   Hepatitis C Quiz
   Infectious Mononucleosis:Learn About the 'Kissing Disease' Caused
   by EBV

   Infectious Mononucleosis Slideshow

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking ursodiol?

   You should not use ursodiol if you are allergic to it, or if you have
   an obstruction in your liver or gallbladder.

   To make sure ursodiol is safe for you, tell your doctor if:
     * you have been coughing up blood; or
     * you have gained weight rapidly, especially in your face and
       midsection.

   FDA pregnancy category B. Ursodiol is not expected to harm an unborn
   baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
   during treatment.

   It is not known whether ursodiol passes into breast milk or if it could
   harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take ursodiol?

   Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this
   medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

   Take the ursodiol tablet with food.

   You may need to break a tablet in half to get your correct dose. Each
   tablet is scored in the middle and should break apart easily.

   Swallow the tablet piece whole with a glass of water. A broken tablet
   can have a bitter taste.

   Use ursodiol regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription
   refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

   To treat gallstones, you may have to take ursodiol for several months
   before your gallstones dissolve. Keep using the medication as directed
   and tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve.

   Not all gallstones completely dissolve with ursodiol treatment, and you
   may develop new gallstones within 5 years after treatment. Talk to your
   doctor about your specific risks.

   While using ursodiol, you may need gallbladder ultrasound exams, or
   frequent blood tests to check your liver function. Your doctor may also
   want to check your liver function every 6 months after you stop using
   ursodiol.

   Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Tablets that are
   broken in half can be kept at room temperature for up to 28 days.

   If you split your tablets, keep them separate from any whole tablets.

   Urso Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose
   Hepatitis:A Visual Guide to Hepatitis

   A Visual Guide to Hepatitis Slideshow
 

   Hepatitis C Quiz
   Infectious Mononucleosis:Learn About the 'Kissing Disease' Caused
   by EBV

   Infectious Mononucleosis Slideshow

What happens if I miss a dose?

   Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if
   it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra
   medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

   Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at
   1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking ursodiol?

   Ask your doctor before using an antacid, and use only the type your
   doctor recommends. Some antacids can make it harder for your body
   to absorb ursodiol.

   If you also take cholestyramine or colestipol, avoid taking ursodiol at
   the same time. Ask your doctor how many hours apart you should take
   your medicines.

What other drugs will affect ursodiol?

   Other drugs may interact with ursodiol, including prescription and
   over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of
   your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any
   medicine you start or stop using.

Where can I get more information?

   Your pharmacist can provide more information about ursodiol.
     __________________________________________________________________

   Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of
   children, never share your medicines with others, and use this
   medication only for the indication prescribed.
   Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by
   Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete,
   but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained
   herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for
   use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and
   therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United
   States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise.
   Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or
   recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational
   resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring
   for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a
   supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill,
   knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a
   warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be
   construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe,
   effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume
   any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the
   aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is
   not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions,
   warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If
   you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your
   doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

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