What Is Ursidol Dosage For Treatment Of Primary Biliary Cirrhosis?

Posted on Sat, 22 Nov 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 22 Nov 2014 Answered on

Tue, 9 Dec 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi. My Name is XXXXXXX and I have a question about Primary Biliary Cirrhosis. I was diagnosed a year ago after tests and biopsy. My Gastro Doctor put me on 1 Ursidol tablet twice a day. 500mg each and Aquadeks 1 per day. I've had increased heartburn from bile (I can taste it) and muscle pain which are side effects of the Ursidiol. No symptoms otherwise. My question is: My insurance company has suggested I ask my doctor to prescribe Ursidiol 300mg capsule at a lower price alternative since the price is expensive and will be doubled next year. Would I have to take three pills a day to meet the 1000 mg dosage and still increase the cost,or is it possible I don't have to take such a high dosage to maintain?

Answered by Dr. Anshul Varshney (10 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
300 mg thrice a day is ideal.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome To HCM. I am Dr Anshul Varshney.
I understand your concern.
See , it doesn't matter that you take a capsule of 500 mg or 300 mg, but you would require to take at least 900 mg of Ursidiol per day initially.
We usually prescribe it as 300 mg thrice daily. However , I have been treating my patients with 300 mg twice daily also.
It all depends on lot of things, that your doctor must have seen and decided to go for around 1000 mg / day dosing.
900 mg or 1000 mg won't make much difference. But I would advise you to go for thrice daily dosing if you are taking 300 mg capsules.
Moreover, if you are troubled by Gastritis and Reflux you can ask your doctor to add to your prescription a combination of Pantoprazole and Domperidone. This will help you a lot in gastric trouble.
I hope it helps.
If you have any further query, please ask me.
Stay Healthy.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar