Ursodeoxycholic Acid 250mg Capsules
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000-0000D URSOFALK® 250MG CAPSULES/
URSODEOXYCHOLIC ACID 250mg CAPSULES
(Ursodeoxycholic acid)
Patient Information Leaflet
This product is known as any of the above names but will usually be referred to as Ursofalk capsules \
throughout this leaflet.
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine.
• Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
• If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
• This medicine has been prescribed for you. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their symptoms are the same as yours.
• If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.
In this leaflet:
1. What Ursofalk capsules are and what they are used for
2. Before you take Ursofalk capsules
3. How to take Ursofalk capsules
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Ursofalk capsules
6. Further information
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1. What Ursofalk capsules are and what they are used for
Ursodeoxycholic acid, the active substance in Ursofalk capsules, is a naturally-occurring bile acid. Small amounts are found in human bile.
Ursofalk capsules are used:
• to dissolve gallstones caused by excess cholesterol in the gall bladder where the gallstones are not visible on a plain x-ray (gallstones that are visible will not dissolve) and not more than 15 mm in diameter. The gall bladder should still be working despite the gallstone(s).
• for the treatment of a condition where the bile ducts in the liver become damaged leading to a build-up of bile. This may cause scarring of the liver. The liver should not be so damaged that it is not functioning properly. This condition is called primary biliary cirrhosis.
2. Before you take Ursofalk capsules Do NOT take Ursofalk capsules if:
• you are, or have been told you are allergic (hypersensitive) to bile acids like ursodeoxycholic acid or to any of the other ingredients of Ursofalk capsules (these are listed in section "6. Further information”)
• your gall bladder does not work properly
• you have gallstones that are visible on an x-ray
• you have acute inflammation of the gall bladder or biliary tract
• you have an obstruction of the biliary tract (blockage of the common bile duct or a cystic duct)
• you suffer from frequent cramp-like pains in the upper abdomen (biliary colic)
• you have hardening of the gallstones caused by a build-up of calcium.
Please ask your doctor about any of the conditions mentioned above. You should also ask if you have previously had any of these conditions or if you are unsure whether you have any of them.
Further precautions:
Ursofalk capsules must be used under medical supervision.
Your doctor should test your liver function regularly every 4 weeks for the first 3 months of treatment.
After this time, it should be monitored at 3 month intervals.
Please inform your doctor immediately if you have diarrhoea as this may require a reduction in the dose or discontinuation of treatment.
Taking other medicines with Ursofalk capsules
Please tell your doctor if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines which contain the following ingredients. The effects of these medicines may be altered (interactions):
A reduction in the effects of the following medicines is possible when taking Ursofalk capsules:
• colestyramine, charcoal, colestipol (to lower blood lipids) or antacids containing aluminium hydroxide or smectite (aluminium oxide). If you must take medication that contains any of these ingredients, it must be taken at least two hours before or after Ursofalk capsules.
• ciprofloxacin and dapsone (antibiotics), nitrendipine (used to treat high blood pressure). It may be necessary for your doctor to alter the dose of these medicines.
An increase in the effects of the following medicines is possible when taking Ursofalk capsules:
• ciclosporin (to reduce the activity of the immune system). If you are being treated with ciclosporin, your doctor should check the amount of ciclosporin in your blood. Your doctor will adjust its dose, if necessary.
Please inform your doctor if you are taking any blood cholesterol lowering agents such as clofibrate or medicines that contain oestrogen (estrogen) especially if you are taking Ursofalk capsules for the dissolution of gallstones as they may stimulate the formation of gallstones.
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Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, even if they are medicines obtainable without a prescription.
Treatment with Ursofalk capsules may still be allowed. Your doctor will know what is right for you.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding:
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking/using any medicine.
• You should not take Ursofalk capsules during pregnancy unless your doctor thinks it is absolutely necessary. Use of Ursofalk capsules during the first three months of pregnancy may affect the foetus.
• Check that you are not pregnant before taking this medicine.
• Use a reliable method of contraception - non-hormonal contraceptives (barrier methods) or low-oestrogen oral contraceptives are recommended. If you are taking Ursofalk capsules for dissolution of gallstones, only use non-hormonal contraceptives, as hormonal oral contraceptives may stimulate the formation of gallstones.
• Do not take this medicine if you are breastfeeding as the active ingredient in Ursofalk capsules may pass into breast milk. If treatment with Ursofalk capsules is necessary, then stop breastfeeding.
Use in children:
There are no age limits to the use of Ursofalk capsules. The administration of Ursofalk capsules is based on body weight and the medical condition.
Driving and using machines:
No particular precautions are necessary.
3. How to take Ursofalk capsules
Always take Ursofalk capsules exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
To dissolve cholesterol gallstones Dosage
Approximately 10 mg per kg body weight (BW) daily, as follows:
50 - 62 kg 2 capsules daily 63 - 85 kg 3 capsules daily 86- 120 kg 4 capsules daily
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WARNING! WE CANNOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY ERRORS IN THIS PROOF AFTER APPROVAL. THE ARTWORK RECEIVED HAS BEEN SIGNIFICANTLY WARNING! THE COLOURS SHOWN ON THIS PROOF ARE FOR GENERAL REPRESENTATION PURPOSES ONLY. THEY ARE NOT ACCURATE AND MUST NOT
ADJUSTED, REVISED OR RESET BY US FROM DISK OR HARD COPY WHILST WE TAKE EXTREME CARE AT ALL TIMES TO ENSURE ACCURACY, THE FINAL RESPONSIBILITY USED AS A COLOUR MATCH FOR THE FINISHED JOB. PLEASE REFER TO THE PANTONE COLOUR GUIDES FOR ACCURATE COLOUR REFERENCES.
MUST BE TAKEN BY OUR CUSTOMER. IF YOU SIGN THIS PROOF YOU ARE SIGNIFYING FULL APPROVAL OF DESIGN AND TEXT.
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How to take Ursofalk capsules
Swallow the capsules whole with a drink of water or other liquid. Take the capsules in the evening at bedtime. Take the capsules regularly.
Duration of treatment
It generally takes 6 - 24 months to dissolve gallstones. If there is no reduction in the size of the gallstones after 12 months, therapy should be stopped.
Every 6 months, your doctor should check whether the treatment is working. At each of these follow-up examinations, it should be checked whether a build-up of calcium causing hardening of the stones has occurred since the last time. If this happens, your doctor will stop the treatment.
For primary biliary cirrhosis (chronic inflammation of the bile ducts)
Dosage
During the first 3 months of treatment, you should take Ursofalk capsules in the morning, at midday and in the evening. As liver function tests improve, the total daily dose may be taken once a day in the evening.
A
|
Body weight BW (kg) |
Daily dose (mg/kg BW) |
Ursofalk 250mg hard capsules | |||
|
first 3 months |
subsequently | ||||
|
morning |
midday |
evening |
Evening | ||
|
47-62 |
12-16 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
|
63-78 |
13-16 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
|
79-93 |
13-16 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
5 |
|
94 -109 |
14-16 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
6 |
|
Over 110 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
7 | |
Ursofalk suspension is available if you weigh less than 47kg or cannot swallow capsules.
How to take Ursofalk capsules
Swallow the capsules whole with a drink of water or other liquid. Take your medicine regularly.
Duration of treatment
Ursofalk capsules may be continued indefinitely in cases of primary biliary cirrhosis.
Note:
In patients with primary biliary cirrhosis, the symptoms may worsen at the start of treatment, e.g. the itching may increase. This only occurs in rare cases. If this happens, therapy can be continued with a lower daily dose of Ursofalk capsules. Each week, your doctor will then gradually increase the daily dose, until you reach the required dose.
If you feel that the effect of Ursofalk capsules is too strong or too weak, please talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
If you take more Ursofalk capsules than you should:
If you or anyone else take too many of the capsules, seek immediate medical attention.
If you forget to take Ursofalk capsules:
Do not take more capsules the next time, but just continue the treatment with the prescribed dose.
If you stop taking Ursofalk capsules:
Always speak to your doctor before you decide to interrupt treatment with Ursofalk capsules or to stop your treatment early.
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, Ursofalk capsules can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
You should contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms after taking
Ursofalk capsules:
Common side effects (occurring in less than 1 in 10 but more than 1 in 100 patients):
• soft, loose stools or diarrhoea. Inform your doctor immediately if you have persistent diarrhoea, as this may require a reduction in the dose. If you do suffer from diarrhoea, make sure you drink enough liquids to replace your fluid and salt balance.
Diarrhoea may also occur as a result of overdose.
Very rare side effects (occurring in less than 1 in 10,000 patients):
• during the treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis: severe right-sided upper abdominal pain, severe worsening of liver scarring - this partially improves after treatment is stopped.
• hardening of gallstones due to build up of calcium. There are no additional symptoms of this but it will show up in tests.
• nettle rash (urticaria)
If you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.
5. How to store Ursofalk capsules
• There are no special storage conditions for Ursofalk 250mg capsules/Ursodeoxycholic acid 250mg capsules.
• Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.
• If your doctor tells you to stop taking the capsules, please take them back to the pharmacist for safe disposal. Only keep the capsules if your doctor tells you to.
• If the capsules become discoloured or show any other signs of deterioration, you should consult your pharmacist who will tell you what to do.
• Do not use this medicine after the expiry date. This date is stated on the carton and the container after "Expiry date”. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
• Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.
6. Further information
What Ursofalk capsules contain:
Each capsule contains 250mg of ursodeoxycholic acid as the active ingredient.
The other ingredients are maize starch, colloidal anhydrous silica, magnesium stearate, gelatin, sodium
lauryl sulphate, purified water and titanium dioxide (E171).
What Ursofalk capsules look like and contents of the pack
The hard gelatin capsules have an unmarked white body and cap and contain a white powder
Ursofalk 250mg capsules/Ursodeoxycholic acid 250mg capsules are available as blister packs of 50 and 100
capsules.
POM PL No: 06464/2750
This product is manufactured by Dr. Falk Pharma GmbH, Leinenweberstr. 5, 79108, Freiburg, Germany and is procured within the EU and repackaged by the Product Licence holder:
Waymade plc, Miles Gray Road, Basildon, Essex SS14 3FR
Leaflet revision and issue date (Ref.) 30.08.2012
Ursofalk® is a registered trademark of Dr. FALK PHARMA GmbH
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000-0000D
WARNING! WE CANNOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY ERRORS IN THIS PROOF AFTER APPROVAL. THE ARTWORK RECEIVED HAS BEEN SIGNIFICANTLY WARNING! THE COLOURS SHOWN ON THIS PROOF ARE FOR GENERAL REPRESENTATION PURPOSES ONLY. THEY ARE NOT ACCURATE AND MUST NOT
ADJUSTED, REVISED OR RESET BY US FROM DISK OR HARD COPY WHILST WE TAKE EXTREME CARE AT ALL TIMES TO ENSURE ACCURACY, THE FINAL RESPONSIBILITY USED AS A COLOUR MATCH FOR THE FINISHED JOB. PLEASE REFER TO THE PANTONE COLOUR GUIDES FOR ACCURATE COLOUR REFERENCES.
MUST BE TAKEN BY OUR CUSTOMER. IF YOU SIGN THIS PROOF YOU ARE SIGNIFYING FULL APPROVAL OF DESIGN AND TEXT.