Urso Forte for gallbladder

Does anyone take this? If so, how do you take it. It is so nasty to chew and the PA told me two ways to take it. I was a little fuzzy when I visited her, and I blanked out on when she told me the 2nd way. I want to get a pill crusher and sprinkle the powder into gelatin or something, but I thought I'd ask on boards. I've been chewing it for now...blech, the taste remains in my mouth for hours. I will probably buy sugar free breath mints to help with that if I continue to chew. All I have is Altoids right now, but well, I'll be good and skip them. I know they aren't good with the sugar. I am trying to figure out why I, a lap bander have to take it. I am guessing it's because of the possible rapid weight loss in the beginning, it's to help protect the gallbladder. She also also has me on B12, Tums and Prevacid. Thanks! Kristine

Kristine: I took Actigall (brand name) Ursodiol (generic name), MY surgoeon gives it to most of his WLS pts for 6-12 mo (rapid wt loss period)one twice a day. There is documented research this drug can decrease risk of gallstones after so many use it. I am not sure if u can chew it or cru**** call the office back to check OR local pharmacist ok! ******************************* Ok i did my research, knew i had info somewhere on this stuff: ('Obesity Surgery' by Louis F. Martin, 2004 ISBN 0-07-140640-9) (paraphrased) "Gallstones occur in ~ 30% pts who undergo significant wt loss (regardless of method used medical or surgical). Ursodiol (*generic name for actigall is brand name) increases the solubility of bile salts and reduces the risk of developing gallstones to ~ 25 if taken 300mg FOUR times per day. Once-per day dosing reduces risk to 50%, twice a day to 25%, three times a day to 12-13%. It is given for 6 months or for as long as pt is losing significant amounts of wt. (more than 3% bodywt a month). There are no other meds, changes in diet, lifestyle that will prevent gallstones to the same magnitude as Ursodiol. It is a large pill and rather expensive, both limit the number of pts who can follow this recommendation." Some of what i have read (update: surgery for the morbidly obese pt by mervyn Deitek 2000 ISBN: 0-9684426-1-7) states standard proximal RNY (which is mainly restrictive mildlymalabsorbtive) it is not recommended to remove gallbladder, but it is recommended in Distal RNY and BPD/DS both of which are more malabsorbtive procedures. Still alot of controvery over gall bladder removal (choleycystectomy) prophylactically (preventatively) as it is not without complications. Ultrasound preop is one way to see if they might need to remove it and once they are in there with surgery they should check also. Some surgeons do a risk assessment knowing age, BMI, gender, ethnicity, fatdistribution as well as surgical technique all play a role (higher BMI, female, increased age, hispanic, more malabsorbtive procedures and central obesity are all the higer risk indicators). Take Care, Jamie Lap RNY 10/9/02 Dr. Singh 320/163 5'9'' (lost 45# before surgery) Plastics 6/9/04 & 11/11/2005 Dr. King "Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, it just means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections!"