Ursodiol Tabs - 500 mgs.

[rene_g]

I just got my prescription refilled and they have switched me to another manufacturer. Have any of you had any experience with Ursodiol Tabs 500 mgs. manufactured by Actavis?

I hate changing brands! I remember reading somewhere on here about never using Lannett brand, but couldn't find that post.

Thanks for your feedback!

[exy21]

Hello I had awful side effects with other brands than the original urso that it was put in my notes not to give me anything other than ursofalk. Others seem to be able to tolerate urso well.

[dollydaydreams in reply to exy21]

Same here exy21, i only take ursofaulk branded as well, both pharmacy and GP are aware that if they give me any other i will give them straight back

[Hidden]

Hello rene_g.

I think you might be in another country to the UK? I can only say how things are in the UK and my experiences with different pharmaceutical companies and the urso.

I originally started on URDOX 300mgs at diagnosis Dec 2010. I had a few initial side-effects (heartburn, bit of bloating and I did think the itch got that bit worse) but within 3 months it had all settled. I did well with my bloodwork taking these and then just over 2 years ago the 300mgs I had been taking were recalled due to some manufacturing production and they have so far not been reinstated.

I was given the usual prescription written as 'ursodeoxycholic acid' with a new mgs as no other 300mgs on the market so had to accept 150mgs (of which I take 600mgs daily). Given the prescription was written generically and not by a specific brand this means that a pharmacist can give a patient any urso branded or otherwise. I was given Destolit 150mgs (a brand) and didn't have problems with these but within a few months I was then given pharmacy labelled brown bottles with the generic name and mgs and they were not by the same manufacturer. I asked for a copy of the patient information leaflet from the pharmacy even though I knew as the white tablets were different to Destolit. I asked and it was explained about the prescription and how written.

I started to take the generics but suffered dreadful heartburn that was still persisting when the 90 days supply was coming to an end. So much so I returned to my GP and asked for the brand name Destolit to be on the prescription after explaining that I was suffering badly with the generics. It is more than likely the fillers that are used that can cause problems as opposed to the active ingredient which is the same urso in all the formulations.

If you are encountering any problems with the tablets then I would certainly raise the issue with your doctor but I think that unless you start taking the tablets then you won't know if there is any difference. Could well be that there isn't. I know on this site some state certain brands but I've also been reading that odd posters who take the ones I currently have have experienced certain side-effects and vice-versa with others. I go with the bloodwork myself and if I'm not experiencing any unwanted problems on taking for awhile.

I know the one thing I have found quite bizarre since being diagnosed with PBC almost 5yrs ago now and the fact that pre-2010 I never took any tablets for certain periods of time (even paracetamol in any form I rarely took), is that it appears there is no one manufacturer of the urso that supplies certain mgs. I was prescribed mine that worked into 150mg multiples and I think I am right in saying that the Ursofalk mentioned on the first poster exy21 is in 250mg multiples (and I believe they also do a 500mgs).

[PCBnPBC]

just about to collect my prescription (been off them for 11 months since transplant Nov 2014,) now have Ischemic Cholangiopathy and have been put back on them..... here we go again.........second transplant is looming

[liver-bird in reply to PCBnPBC]

Thinking of you and hoping next transplant does the trick. Let us know how you get on. Diane

[Calogia]

Mine is manufactured by Glenmark.

[rene_g]

Thanks so much for all your replies. I live in the United States. I had requested that they only use the manufacturer PAR as that is the one that I have used since the beginning with no issues. But then they sent me the prescription using Activas. I could try them, but wonder if it's worth putting myself through possible bad reactions. I think I will just call my doctor and ask them to call in the prescription as I had requested it originally with a notation that only PAR is to be used for mine.

This is an awesome place to come for help! You all are so sweet to answer and it really helps someone that is new to all of this.

[dollydaydreams]

Hi Again, if you have already had your script filled why not try them for say a week or so, you never know they may make you feel better or no different than the other ones, It just seems a shame if you have paid for them just to throw them away as the Pharmacy can't take them back to reissue ( well not in the UK at least) anything we take back is thrown away ( or so we are told :o))))

XX