Uridine triacetate (oral route)
Available brands
Vistogard, Xuriden
About this medication
Uridine triacetate is used to treat hereditary orotic aciduria. Hereditary orotic aciduria is a rare metabolic disease that is caused by uridine deficiency. Uridine triacetate is a pyrimidine analog that works by replacing the uridine that cannot be normally produced in patients with hereditary orotic aciduria. Uridine triacetate is also used as an emergency treatment for patients who had an overdose of the cancer medicines fluorouracil or capecitabine, or who develop certain severe or life-threatening side effects within 4 days of receiving these cancer medicines. This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription. This product is available in the following dosage forms:
Before using this medication
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered: Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully. Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of uridine triacetate in children. Although appropriate studies on the relationship of age to the effects of Vistogard® have not been performed in the geriatric population, geriatric-specific problems are not expected to limit the usefulness of Vistogard® in the elderly. No information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of Xuriden™ in geriatric patients. There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding. Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine. Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
How to use this medication
Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor to benefit your condition as much as possible. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. This medicine should come with a patient instruction leaflet. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions. TakeXuriden™with food. You may takeVistogard®without regard to meals. It is important to take all doses ofVistogard®, even if you feel well. To prepare: To mixXuriden™orVistogard®with food: You may also mixXuriden™with milk or infant formula: If you are takingVistogard®through a nasogastric tube or gastrostomy tube: The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so. The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine. If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses. If you vomit within 2 hours of taking a dose ofVistogard®, take another dose immediately. Then, take your next dose at your regularly scheduled time. Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing. Keep out of the reach of children. Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.
Disclaimer: August is a health information platform and its responses don't constitute medical advise. Always consult with a licenced medical professional near you before making any changes.