Methods for improving the therapeutic effectiveness of uridine administered to prevent and/or reduce various maladies including adverse event from drugs are provided. Aspects of the methods include administering an effective amount of a uridine maximizing adjuvant, e.g., a 2,2′-anhydropyrimidine, or a derivative thereof, to the subject. Also provided are compositions for use in practicing the subject methods. The subject methods and compositions find use in a variety of different applications, including the treatment of a variety of different disease conditions.