Ursodeoxycholic acid is a choleretic and hepatoprotective agent. It is produced in the form of capsules and is an active ingredient in many choleretic drugs.
Pharmacological properties
By its origin, the product is a derivative of bile acid. It has, in addition to protective and choleretic action, immunomodulating properties, helps to reduce the formation of cholesterol in the blood and stones in the gall bladder. The medicine helps to stabilize the liver cells, gives them greater stability when exposed to an aggressive environment. Ursodeoxycholic acid normalizes the activity of lymphocytes, eliminates the expression of antigens in the hepatic ducts and cells. Specialists respond positively to the drug as a drug that reduces liver fibrosis during fatty alcohol degeneration, cystic fibrosis, biliary primary cirrhosis. The absorption of the drug occurs in the small intestine, and the maximum concentration in the blood is reached three hours after administration.
Indications for use of Ursodeoxycholic Acid
The preparations Ursodex, Ursoliv, Urso, Ursofalk, Ursosan, in which the substance is an active component, are prescribed for complex treatment of cholelithiasis, in cases where the pathology is caused by high cholesterol, and removal by endoscopy or surgery is not possible.
Stones are preliminarily crushed if their size exceeds 2 cm. Ursodeoxycholic acid is used for chronic forms of active hepatitis occurring with stagnation of bile, for cystic fibrosis of the liver, for biliary primary cirrhosis or reflux esophagitis, acute hepatitis. Reviews say that the drug helps with cholecystopathies and dyskinesia of the biliary tract. In addition, the medication is prescribed in order to prevent
stagnation of bile while taking cytostatics, contraceptives.
Ursodeoxycholic acid: instructions, price
The medicine can be used at any age, even in newborns. The doctor sets the dosage individually for each patient, depending on the weight and severity of the manifestations of the disease. The average volume of the drug is 10 mg per kg. Use is required once in the evening.
Once every three months during treatment it is necessary to check the level of liver enzymes. When removing gallstones, the liver and bile ducts are examined every six months. The cost of the drug is 400 rubles.
Contraindications and side effects
It is forbidden to use the remedy for acute inflammation of the gallbladder and excretory tract (cholangitis, cholecystitis). Appointments are not made for cirrhosis, renal dysfunction, ulcerative nonspecific colitis, and individual intolerance. Ursodeoxycholic acid may temporarily increase liver enzymes. In rare cases, the drug causes diarrhea, calcification of gallstones, skin allergic manifestations.