questions about Ursodiol medication.

[TurtleLuv]

I take 300mg of ursodiol 3 times a day and I’ve been taking this for 6 years. My only one problem is that I have never been able to swallow pills before and still can’t get it right.

I been getting complaints from my dentist about cavities popping up often when I visit for fillings. I try to rinse and brush my mouth more often every time I take it.

I tried to mix the capsule in apple sauce like the nurse in the hospital did it for me and I’ve been doing it that was since.

Is there any other ways I can try to get myself to effectively swallow pills?

I tried to take it while standing, sitting up straight, I tried taking big gulps, small sips, leaning forward and tilting my head up. But every time my body wont let me.

It gotten so bad I forgot how to swallow anything out of fear. So now I mostly take hours eating the same food from a spoon until it’s all gone. I’m frustrated.

[ninjagirlwebb]

Can you put the powder from the capsule in a liquid like a smoothie or iced tea or iced coffee and just drink it?

[Auds5]

I know this might sound silly but have you tried tilting head down instead of up, when swallowing? I was told to this and it has worked for me.

[TurtleLuv in reply to Auds5]

I’ll give this a shot. Thanks!

[Candy12]

I’am not sure if your from the UK, but can you get Ursofalk in a liquid. I have swallowing problems and when it’s bad I take the liquid form. It gets me over the rejected swallowing that happens after a choking episode on a capsule or tablet. . It’s awful isn’t it and scary.

I manage taking my capsules now by eating a mouthful of banana, for slippage,then swallow the capsule with minimum water, to much water makes swallowing harder. I used to use apple sauce but found banana much better. Might be worth a try.

Auds5 is right tilt head forward not back.

[TurtleLuv in reply to Candy12]

I’m from the U.S. I didn’t know there was a liquid form of this medicine. And I might also try with bananas.

If nothing else seems to work I can go back to mixing the powder in some kind of liquid or applesauce again and brush more diligently.

Thank you

[DonnaBoll Administrator]

Ursodiol can be taken as a liquid suspension, capsule, or tablet. The liquid is made by dispersing the active ingredient in a liquid medium. The concentration can range from 20 mgs/ml to 100 mgs/ml. Talk to your pharmacist. There are specialty pharmacies or compound pharmacies that may be helpful. You are not alone in this. Just remember that you do swallow food.... it can often be difficult to differentiate between food and medicine for some. Let me know what you find out.

[DonnaBoll Administrator]

I also want to say that many PBC patients also suffer from dry mouth and eyes. This is very common. Having a dry mouth often makes your gums and overall tooth condition prone to cavities and gum disease. Have you talked to your dentist maybe about a rinse you might use?

[TurtleLuv in reply to DonnaBoll]

That probably explains why my mouth feels so dry a lot… I thought it was because of the anxiety issues I have.

I will speak to my dentist about this and see what they can do to help.

As for asking to switch to a liquid form of Ursodiol. I will call my doctor and ask if it’s possible to switch to that. Because I live in the US I am not sure if it’s possible but I will ask.

[birdie2013]

Hi TurtleLuv.. I'm so sorry you are having trouble with the ursodiol. I'm on the same dose and typically take 2 in the am and one at bedtime. Mine are capsule form so a bit easier to swallow. Sometime Ms I put a good amount of water in my mouth first or a flavored drink, shove a pill in and swallow quickly to get it down. If your pills are "chalky", then that's a bit harder bc they can stick to your tongue and whatnot. My daughter cannot take pills either and I used to put them in a bite of applesauce for her to get down. I am a nurse and unaware of ursodiol in liquid form.. which would be so ideal for folks who hate pills.

[Tuppence67]

Hello

My friend had similar difficulties swallowing the tablets so her GP prescribed Ursofalk suspension, liquid version. We’re in the UK but fingers crossed it’s available in the US. Good luck 😊