New to PBC

[Lignite]

Just diagnosed with PBC. I am at stage 1-2.

Not sure what that means. Am starting ursodiol tomorrow. What side effects can I expect? What is the usual cost of this drug?

[Starfish72]

I live in the UK and pay for prescriptions so the cost of urso is a standard prescription but I pay monthly & have card to order as many prescriptions as needed.

I had a few side effects to start, mainly bowel cramps & bit of dizziness but once I worked out when was best for me to take them I was on a roll and my blood results responded immediately.

Work out when the right time is for you to take them. I take 1250mg at once with breakfast then get on with my day.

Take care and good luck x

[butterflyEi]

Hello Lignite

I am in the UK and a senior citizen so my prescriptions are now free although I used to pay the standard prescription fee beforehand.

What country are you in and do you have health insurance?

I was diagnosed quite a long time ago now so I do not remember what side effects I had but other contributors who are more recently diagnosed have said that because of side effects they started taking a small does and built up to the required dosage.

Ursodeoxycholic Acid (URSO)is prescribed in dosage relevant to your weight. For myself I am now on 5X250mg tablets a day. I was taking them all at night but I have now had another medication introduced which is time important to other drugs so I am taking 500mg in the morning and the rest at bedtime.

There will be a leaflet with your medication which will tell you how to take it and possible side effects but you can also google the drug which may give you more information.

Let us know how you get on.

best wishes

[Becca75]

When I was diagnosed I was staged at the same 1-2- I'm nearing stage 2.

Even when you know a lot of the side effects it doesn't always mean you'll get all of them. I have fatigue and had bad itching and have digestive issues and some joint pain. The urso has cleared up my itching and the fatigue now is caused by my Autoimmune Hepatitis. Urso brought my numbers down by 50% so I am having a great reaction on the URSO. I hope you do too!