Urso Forte and/or Equivalents

Urso Forte

Urso Forte Drug Description

Urso Forte is the brand name of a medication that is extensively prescribed in the treatment of cholestatic liver diseases like Primary Biliary Cirrhosis (PBC), which is a chronic progressive disease of the liver. It is an autoimmune disease that is characterised by the slow and gradual destruction of the small bile ducts that are found inside the liver. It also causes inflammation and irritation in the bile ducts because of which the normal flow of bile is obstructed. This obstruction over a period of time damages and scars the liver cells, giving rise to cirrhosis of your liver. PBC is now fairly common with more women suffering from this disease than men. The prime ingredient in Urso Forte is ursodiol, which is a bile acid. Each Urso Forte tablet is elliptical in shape, film-coated, biconvex, scored, white in colour and engraved with ‘URS790’. It contains 500 mg of ursodiol along with polyethylene glycol, carnauba wax, magnesium stearate, povidone, microcrystalline cellulose, dibutyl sebacate, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, ethylcellulose aqueous and sodium starch glycolate as the excipients. Urso Forte is available in bottles of hundred tables. You can score the tablets and store the unused half for up to twenty eight days in the same bottle in a cool place. However, do not use tablets that have not been broken precisely. Urso Forte is presented by Aptalis Pharma Canada Inc.

Conditions Treated by Urso Forte

Urso Forte is prescribed in the treatment of Primary Biliary Cirrhosis (PBC). In PBC, ursodiol, the active ingredient in Urso Forte works by increasing the flow of bile in patients so that the bile does not get accumulated and lead to cirrhosis over time. Urso Forte is prescribed to dissolve particular type of small gallstones in patients who cannot under surgery to remove them. In this condition, ursodiol works by decreasing the level of cholesterol produced by liver and also by breaking down the cholesterol that has already turned into stone in the gallbladder. Urso Forte is also indicated in the prevention of gallstones in obese patients who are undergoing treatment for rapid loss of weight. However, Urso Forte is not prescribed for the treatment of calcified gallstones.

Urso Forte Dosage Information

a.) Typical dosage recommendations

Typical dosage for any medication depends on several factors like age, body weight, present medical condition of the patient, past medical history, individual tolerance level, individual response etc. In general, typical adult dosage of Urso Forte in PBC is 13-15 mg per kilogram of body weight per day. The dosage is to be administered through two to four doses at equal intervals throughout the day. Urso Forte tablet can be scored to adjust the dose recommended by your physician. The tablet must be taken with food and swallowed whole with water without being chewed.

b.) Missing a dose

In case you have missed a particular dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is close to your next dose, skip the missed dose altogether and follow your normal schedule. Do not take two doses together to compensate for a missed dose.

c.) Overdosing

Though there have been no reports of severe adverse effects of Urso Forte overdose, you can expect to experience diarrhoea for which you will have to visit your nearest medical centre. You must also inform your physician immediately in case you have accidentally taken too much of Urso Forte.

Urso Forte Warnings

Discuss present medical condition and past medical history (especially hepatic disorders) with your physician before commencing your treatment with Urso Forte. This is necessary as he/she will then know if it is safe for you to take this medication. Your physician should especially know if you are allergic to any of the ingredients (both active and excipients) present in the medication. You should also tell your medical caregiver if you are using contraceptive pills, undergoing hormone replacement therapy, taking colestipol or cholestyramine. Seek your doctor’s advice before taking any forms of antacids and use only those antacids as recommended by him/her. Know everything about Urso Forte before using it, especially the side effects, contraindications, benefits etc and talk to your physician if you feel the medication may not be suitable for you. Take Urso Forte exactly as prescribed by your physician and do not alter dose or stop treatment without proper consultation. Using Urso Forte is a long-term treatment and your physician will test your liver function or perform ultrasound examination of the gallbladder to track your progress periodically. Do not miss any such appointments. Contact your physician immediately if you feel any discomfort while using this medication. There is a possibility of gallstones developing after several years even if Urso Forte has been successful in dissolving them during your present treatment. Keep this fact in mind and discuss with your doctor the possible risks and preventive measures which you can undertake. Consult your physician before using Urso Forte if you are pregnant or nursing your baby. Urso Forte may make you dizzy. Do not perform any function that requires alertness immediately after taking your dose and limit your intake of alcohol. Store your bottle of Urso Forte in a cool and dark place away from children and pets. Never share the medication with anybody else even if the other person displays similar symptoms.

Urso Forte Side Effects

All medications have some side effect and Urso Forte is no exception. However, the adverse effects depend on various physical and medical conditions and may not be same for every person. Also, the side effects can be permanent or temporary, severe or mild in nature. Typical side effects of Urso Forte include:

• Constipation
• Fever
• Symptoms of flu
• Aches all over the body
• Stomach
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Sudden tiredness
• Backache
• Runny nose
• Allergic reactions like swelling in the throat/tongue/face, rashes, difficulty in breathing
• Swelling in the ankles or feet
• Excessive thirst or urge to urinate frequently

Urso Forte Drug Interactions

It is common for medicinal formulations to interact with each other and both the active and inactive ingredients of Urso Forte can react with other medications you are taking presently. Urso Forte can interact especially with aluminium-based antacids, oral contraceptives, lipid-lowering medicines and bile acid removing agents. Your physician should therefore know everything about all prescription and non-prescription drugs you are using including herbal medicine, vitamins, health supplements etc. He/she should also know if you have any addiction to alcohol, nicotine, street drugs or caffeine.

If you have any questions about buying discount Urso Forte online or any other prescription products you can contact our team of professional Patient Service Representatives or one of our pharmacists 24-7 by calling 1-800-226-3784.

Notice: The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Urso Forte and/or Equivalents warnings, side-effects and general information