Inquiry About UDCA and K Citrate Dosage
Hello everyone, I’m new to this community and have a query I’d like to share. I’m a 37-year-old male diagnosed with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), along with gallstones and kidney stones. My physician has prescribed UDCA 500mg twice daily and K citrate twice daily following meals. I’m a bit worried about the potential for overdose, particularly with the total daily dosage of UDCA amounting to 1000mg. I appreciate any insights or advice you can provide. Thank you!
Answers (1)

7/10/2025, 5:10:43 AM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to have concerns about medication dosages, especially when managing multiple health issues. Here’s what you need to know about UDCA (Ursodeoxycholic Acid) and potassium citrate:
Main Points:
- UDCA Dosage: 1000 mg daily is a standard dose for NAFLD, and it is generally considered safe.
- Potassium Citrate: Important for managing kidney stones, with dosing adjusted based on your specific needs.
- Monitoring for Safety: It's good to maintain awareness of potential side effects and ensure appropriate medical supervision.
Explanation:
UDCA works by improving liver function and promoting bile flow. For many patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, the 500 mg twice daily dosage is common and is usually well-tolerated. The risk of overdose is low when taken as prescribed, but it's still important to monitor for any unusual side effects, such as gastrointestinal discomfort or allergic reactions.
Potassium citrate helps to prevent kidney stones by alkalizing the urine and decreasing calcium stone formation. The dosage is tailored to your specific conditions, and your healthcare provider monitors it based on your serum potassium levels to avoid hyperkalemia (excessive potassium in the blood).
Next Steps:
- Observation: Track how you feel while taking these medications—note any side effects or concerns.
- Communication: Discuss your worries about overdose with your healthcare provider during your next visit. They can clarify dosages and their safety and may perform lab tests to ensure everything is within normal ranges.
- Lifestyle Adjustments: Focus on a balanced diet and stay well-hydrated, which can help manage your liver and kidney health. Foods rich in antioxidants (like fruits and vegetables) can support liver function.
- Follow-Up: Schedule regular check-ups with your physician to assess your liver and kidney conditions and adjust medications as necessary.
Your proactive approach is commendable, and maintaining communication with your healthcare provider will help ensure your treatment is effective and safe. Let me know if you need further details or have other questions!
Related Questions
Bright Red Blood During Bowel Movements
I’m a 27-year-old female, weighing 157 pounds and standing at 5’3". I have no significant medical history, nor do I use drugs, smoke, or drink alcohol. My only medication is Paxil at a daily dose of 40mg for anxiety. Today, I experienced a bowel movement, and upon wiping, I noticed bright red blood. It wasn’t mixed with the stool itself. Following the bowel movement, I felt some soreness inside my rectum. A few days earlier, I had a particularly difficult bowel movement that was hard to pass. As of now, I haven’t experienced any additional symptoms, but I am extremely worried that it might be a sign of colon cancer.
Inquiries for My Physician
Hello everyone, I struggle with significant health anxiety, and I have an appointment for a follow-up after my ER visit on the 15th. During my time in the emergency room, a few important findings came to light that I’ll summarize: - Elevated levels of neutrophils, monocytes, and basophils were recorded. I believe that WBC refers to white blood cells, and those counts were also marked as elevated. - My globulin level stood at 1.9, with a threshold for high readings set at 2. - ALT (SGPT) was measured to be low, below 7. - Traces of ketones were detected in my tests. - I have a slight curvature in my lumbar spine. - The report mentioned conditions such as organomegaly, calcification, or pneumoperitoneum. - Thankfully, there were no signs of infections in my urine or blood samples. The tests conducted included urine analysis, blood tests, and X-rays. I’m seeking advice on the kinds of questions I should bring up with my doctor during this visit. I’d like to inquire about the possibility of another test for AFPs, as this was not included in my ER evaluation, but I’m uncertain whether this is necessary. To make matters worse, I feel like this birthday isn't turning out to be very special. I appreciate any guidance you all can provide!
Understanding the Challenges of Abdominal Scans
MALE - Age: 60 - Weight: 92 kg I have been diagnosed with a possible cyst or lipoma located in the central abdominal mesenteric area, as indicated by an ultrasound examination. My general practitioner referred me for an MRI to further investigate this finding. However, the MRI appointment was canceled. Upon reviewing the documentation, I noticed that the request was classified as a liver MRI. The form mentioned a previous CT scan of my liver, which revealed some lesions, leading to the decision not to perform the MRI. Yesterday, I had a chance to discuss this situation directly with the GP who initiated the scan request. I pointed out that I had not experienced any discomfort in my liver; rather, my pain was situated just above my belly button, while the liver is positioned in the upper right section of the abdomen. I asked him why he chose to order an MRI for the liver area. He explained that the referral system used in his office necessitates selecting a specific organ to justify the MRI appointment—options include the liver, kidneys, gallbladder, and spleen. Unfortunately, it does not permit an option for the mesenteric abdominal wall, as it is not classified as an organ. This raises the question: how can one obtain an MRI of the abdominal wall to assess conditions like cysts, fluid accumulation, or lipomas when a designated organ is required for the request?
Mysterious Skin Lumps
Greetings, I’m a 23-year-old male. Currently, I’m not on any prescription drugs. A few months back, I discovered some unusual lumps in my groin region. Subsequently, I underwent two separate tests for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), both of which screened for the most prevalent types, and the results came back negative. I suspect they might be razor bumps, yet they appear slightly dissimilar to images I’ve seen online. I would share a photo for clarity, but it appears that this subreddit prohibits image uploads. Thank you for your understanding.
Understanding Medication Interactions
I am a 25-year-old assigned female at birth (AFAB) who stands 168 cm tall and weighs 70 kg. I do not smoke. Since the age of 17, I have been taking fluoxetine at a dosage of 20 mg, administered as one capsule daily. Throughout my treatment, I've experimented with various proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and am currently using rabeprazole at a dose of 20 mg each morning, primarily due to a hiatus hernia. Recently, I was given a prescription for clonidine (100 mcg) to be taken as half a tablet at night, aimed at managing my ADHD after encountering unwanted effects from stimulant medications. Additionally, I suffer from migraines and recently experienced a severe episode that led me to withdraw from my university semester. As part of my migraine management, I was prescribed amitriptyline (10 mg) for nighttime use and rizatriptan (10 mg) to take as a wafer twice a day as needed. At present, I believe I may be having another migraine episode and have taken three aspirin without relief. Consequently, I am considering using the rizatriptan, but I have concerns regarding interactions with my existing medications. I am seeking advice on the safety of concurrently taking these medications.