Indication & Dosage |
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| Oral |
| DISSOLUTION OF CHOLESTEROL-RICH GALLSTONES |
| Adult:
6-12 mg/kg daily as a single dose at bedtime or in 2-3 divided doses continued for 3-4 mth after radiological disappearance of stones. Doses may be divided unequally with a higher dose given before bedtime to counteract increase in biliary cholesterol saturation which occurs in early morning. Max: 15mg/kg. |
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| Oral |
| TREATMENT OF PRIMARY BILIARY CIRRHOSIS |
| Adult:
10-15 mg/kg daily in 2-4 divided doses. |
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| Oral |
| PREVENTION OF GALLSTONES IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING RAPID WEIGHT LOSS |
| Adult:
300 mg bid. |
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| Administration |
Should be taken with food. |
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| Precautions |
50% of successfully treated patients will develop further gallstones within 10 yr. Lactation. |
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| Adverse Drug Reactions |
Diarrhoea, pruritus, nausea, vomiting, gallstone calcification. |
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| Interactions |
Cholestyramine, charcoal and antacids may reduce effectiveness. Aluminum-based antacids may reduce absorption. Oestrogens and clofibrate may counteract effectiveness of ursodeoxycholic acid by increasing cholesterol elimination in bile. Possible increase in ciclosporin serum concentration. Decreased effectiveness of dapsone. Possible decrease in serum ciprofloxacin and nitrendipine. |
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