Guest guest Posted October 23, 2004 Report Share Posted October 23, 2004 Hey all.. Okay, so I had typed a LONG email about ursodiol and then hit " post " instead of " send " so now I am thinking a Very Bad Word. Here is what came up on www.medicinenet.com/ursodiol/article.htm: DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Ursodiol is a naturally-occurring bile acid that is made by the liver in humans and is secreted in small quantities in bile. It is used to dissolve and prevent cholesterol gallstones and to treat primary biliary cirrhosis, a disease of the liver. Ursodiol blocks the enzyme in the liver that produces cholesterol and thereby decreases production of cholesterol by the liver and the amount of cholesterol in bile. It also reduces the absorption of cholesterol from the intestine. By decreasing the concentration of cholesterol in bile, ursodiol prevents the formation and promotes the dissolution of cholesterol-containing gallstones. The mechanism by which it acts in primary biliary cirrhosis is not clear. [Did you know it was originally from bear bile? Hence the urso. Poor bear. Also, I wonder who was sitting around in the woods and thought " I wonder what would happen if we ate bear liver? " Okay, maybe that's not so unrealistic.] The GI I have seen for the last year through the xp program (he does my EGD's/bandings and ERCPs) suggested I take it. But when I asked my regular GI and the xp heps, the consensus was that I was okay without it and that it wouldn't do me very much good, considering that my bilirubin levels were normal. But anyway, the short explanation (it was very rudimentary the first time I got it b/c it was immediately following an EGD and I was drugged out to oblivion) I got from all of them is that the drug acts as a thinner for bile. If you're itching, it's because your body isn't getting rid of all the gunk in bile appropriately. With PBC and PSC (which I theoretically have) your bile ducts are narrowed, damaged, clogged, etc. so thinner bile makes sense. For AIH, I am guessing that docs try it to ease the burden on an otherwise-stressed liver. Anyhoo, I am looking forward to seeing what other people have to say about the stuff. Have a great (rest of) your weekend. Shirl (WA) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 8, 2009 Report Share Posted January 8, 2009 I take 2400 mg a day, like you I had the cramping etc. I found taking all the pills at night before stopped all the issues. I also found if you avoid greasy foods for a while and eat protein in small portions it will help too. I have stage 3/4 PBC which is probably stage 4, the doctors were not happy at first with my decision to take the meds but I said it was a quality of life decision and they gave up. Kathy Thibeault In a message dated 1/8/2009 9:50:30 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, joziemba56@... writes: Anyone ever had to decrease the ursodiol? I'm taking 1200mg daily (4pills) but I seem to be having digestive problems a few hours afterwards. Stomach cramps, nausea, diarrhea. This has been going on now for months 2 pills after breakfast and 2 after dinner. If I miss a dose, I'm ok. Hate having to go somewhere after taking the urso, since I can never be sure if I can get to a bathroom. I'm planning on talking to my doctor next month at my check up. I've been taking ursodiol now for 10 months. **************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100000075x1215047751x1200957972/aol?redir=http://\ www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072%26hmpgID=62%26bcd=De cemailfooterNO62) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 9, 2009 Report Share Posted January 9, 2009 I used to have similiar problems on occasions & I read here that some take there Ursa all at once after breakfast in the morning so I asked my MD & got permission to take my 1000mg then and I am feeling better. Grace, 55, stg 1, PBC, 4/08, SB, Calif > > Anyone ever had to decrease the ursodiol? I'm taking 1200mg daily > (4pills) but I seem to be having digestive problems a few hours > afterwards. Stomach cramps, nausea, diarrhea. This has been going on > now for months 2 pills after breakfast and 2 after dinner. If I miss a > dose, I'm ok. Hate having to go somewhere after taking the urso, since > I can never be sure if I can get to a bathroom. I'm planning on talking > to my doctor next month at my check up. I've been taking ursodiol now > for 10 months. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 9, 2009 Report Share Posted January 9, 2009 I'm sorry to hear that he isn't well. What form of liver disease does he have? Harper In a message dated 1/9/09 3:44:09 PM, driveriley@... writes: > > My husband is a patient at the mayo clinic in jacksonville the doctor > said ursodiol is no longer a tratment for liver disease as studies > show it does nothing to help. He is being treated with lactulose & > rifaximin only. > What are your thoughts on this ? > > > ************** New year...new news. Be the first to know what is making headlines. (http://www.aol.com/?ncid=emlcntaolcom00000026) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 9, 2009 Report Share Posted January 9, 2009 My husband is a patient at the mayo clinic in jacksonville the doctor said ursodiol is no longer a tratment for liver disease as studies show it does nothing to help. He is being treated with lactulose & rifaximin only. What are your thoughts on this ? > > I take 2400 mg a day, like you I had the cramping etc. I found taking all > the pills at night before stopped all the issues. I also found if you avoid > greasy foods for a while and eat protein in small portions it will help too. > I have stage 3/4 PBC which is probably stage 4, the doctors were not happy at > first with my decision to take the meds but I said it was a quality of life > decision and they gave up. > > Kathy Thibeault > > > > In a message dated 1/8/2009 9:50:30 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, > joziemba56@... writes: > > > > > Anyone ever had to decrease the ursodiol? I'm taking 1200mg daily > (4pills) but I seem to be having digestive problems a few hours > afterwards. Stomach cramps, nausea, diarrhea. This has been going on > now for months 2 pills after breakfast and 2 after dinner. If I miss a > dose, I'm ok. Hate having to go somewhere after taking the urso, since > I can never be sure if I can get to a bathroom. I'm planning on talking > to my doctor next month at my check up. I've been taking ursodiol now > for 10 months. > > > > > **************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy > steps! > (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100000075x1215047751x1200957972/aol? redir=http://www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072% 26hmpgID=62%26bcd=De > cemailfooterNO62) > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 10, 2009 Report Share Posted January 10, 2009 Hi Jozie, I too had a terrible time with my stomach when I first started taking Urso so my doctor prescribed Zantac (Ranitidine) 150 mg 2 x per day and it took care of the problem. Check with your doctor to see if this might be right for you. It is also now available over the counter but it is much cheaper as a generic prescription. Good luck! Hugs, Dees, PBC dx 99, Fibromyalgia 99, stg 2/3, Fort Myers, FL. 53 **************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100000075x1215855013x1201028747/aol?redir=http://\ www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072%26hmpgID=62%26bcd=De cemailfooterNO62) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 10, 2009 Report Share Posted January 10, 2009 driveriley said: " My husband is a patient at the mayo clinic in jacksonville the doctor said ursodiol is no longer a tratment for liver disease as studies show it does nothing to help. " Hi, All I can think of is that there is a miscommunication here.. Urso or Ursodiol is the only treatment for PBC, maybe the doctor meant that it does nothing for AIH or some other liver diseases? Hugs, Dees, PBC dx 99, Fibromyalgia 99, stg 2/3, Fort Myers, FL. 53 **************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100000075x1215855013x1201028747/aol?redir=http://\ www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072%26hmpgID=62%26bcd=De cemailfooterNO62) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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