Many, probably, heard about Urdox tablets. "What are they from?" - Frequently asked question by readers. Many users write that they often take it with them on vacation in order to “heal” their liver. But at the same time, they lose sight of the fact that this is a medication made to treat serious liver diseases. Therefore, it is so important to know in what cases and how to use Urdox's medicine correctly. Instructions for use, contraindications, side effects - everything can be found in this article.
The composition of the drug and the form of release
The active substance of this drug is ursodeoxycholic acid, which is, in fact, a less aggressive form of bile acid. Initially, this component was included in the medications indicated for the treatment of reflux gastritis and dissolution of gallstones. Now the substance is included in many drugs intended for the treatment of cholestatic liver diseases. This preparation is produced in the form of gelatin opaque capsules, the contents of which are granulate or white powder. As auxiliary substances, silicon dioxide, anhydrous colloidal, corn starch, magnesium stearate are here. The capsule shell contains titanium dioxide, propylhydroxybenzoate, methyl hydroxybenzoate, gelatin and acetic acid.
pharmachologic effect
This medicine is a hepatoprotective drug. It has cholelitolytic, choleretic, hypocholesterolemic and immunomodulatory effects. The active substance of the Urdox capsule is embedded in the membrane of the structural cells of the liver (hepatocyte), thereby protecting them from the effects of bile salts. Also, the medication stimulates the formation and secretion of bile, contributes to the complete or partial dissolution of gallstones.
Indications for use
Urdoxa instructions, price, reviews - everything will be described in this article. In the meantime, get acquainted with the list of indications for use:
• Biliary reflux gastritis. A disease arising from a malfunction of the biliary system and asynchronous operation of the sphincters. The cause of the disease can be represented as follows: the acidic contents of the duodenum are regularly thrown into the stomach. As a result, under the influence of bile acids, the gastric mucosa begins to break down.
• Destruction of liver cells (primary biliary cirrhosis) in the absence of signs of decompensation. The disease is more common in women. It manifests itself in the form of inflammatory changes in the liver, autoimmune destruction of it and bile ducts. In this case, the secretion of bile is impaired. Harmful toxic substances are retained in the liver. As a result of this, liver failure first develops, and later liver cirrhosis.
• It is used to dissolve small and medium cholesterol stones during normal functioning of the gallbladder (unfortunately, in this case it helps infrequently). It is known that 80% of all stones that form in the gallbladder are cholesterol. Any changes that occur in the composition of the formed bile, lead to the fact that it begins to poorly "dissolve" harmful elements, such as cholesterol. As a result of this, stones form in the gallbladder. They can be very tiny (the size of a grain of sand) and very large (the size of a ball for playing ping pong). There may be several or just one. Most doctors are inclined to believe that stones in the gall bladder are formed as a result of regular consumption of too fatty foods.
The drug "Urdoksa": instructions for use
This tool is used for oral administration. The dosage of the drug depends on the type of disease and the patient’s body weight. For the treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis, it should be used as follows:
- If body weight is from 34 to 50 kg, then you need to take 2 capsules per day. They are used, as a rule, in the morning and in the evening on one thing.
- If body weight is from 51 to 65 kg, then you need to take 3 capsules per day. They are used three times a day: in the morning, at lunch and in the evening.
- If body weight is from 66 to 85 kg, then you need to take 4 capsules per day. Use three times a day in this way: in the morning 1, at lunch 1 and in the evening 2 pieces.
- If body weight is from 86 to 110 kg, then you need to take 5 capsules per day. Use three times a day: in the morning 1, at lunch 2, in the evening 3 pieces.
- If body weight is more than 110 kg, then you need to take 6 capsules per day. Use three times a day: in the morning 2, at lunch 2 and in the evening 3 pieces.
For the treatment of biliary reflux gastritis, the drug should be taken as follows: once a day, 250 mg. The attending physician should determine the duration of therapy with the drug "Urdoxa". The instruction for its use states that, as a rule, it is from 10-14 days to six months. In some cases, the drug "Urdoksa" take more than a year.
In order to dissolve bile cholesterol stones, the drug is usually taken at 250-500 mg per day, which corresponds to 1-2 capsules. In this case, the drug is consumed either after a meal or during it. The full course of treatment is from 4-6 months to a year or more. Maintenance therapy is carried out in a daily dose of 250 mg.
Contraindications and side effects
Not everyone can take the drug "Urdoxa". The instruction for use states that children's age in this case is a contraindication. Also, the tool has the following restrictions on use:
- X-ray imaging gallstones (visible in the image due to the high calcium content in the composition);
- poorly functioning gall bladder;
- acute inflammation of the gallbladder, its ducts and intestines;
- decompensated cirrhosis of the liver (a disease in which the liver is completely scarred and cannot do its job);
- pronounced impaired renal, liver, pancreas;
- hypersensitivity to the elements of the drug;
- pregnancy and lactation.
Side effects from the use of the drug are as follows:
- back pain;
- abdominal pain;
- diarrhea;
- calcification of gallstones;
- nausea;
- constipation;
- increased activity of hepatic transaminases ;
- vomiting
- allopecia (baldness);
- dizziness;
- allergic reactions (urticaria and so on);
- exacerbation of psoriasis, which appeared earlier.
Medication prices
The cost of the drug depends on the number of capsules in the package. So, the price of a pack (50 pieces) in different pharmacies varies from 520 to 692 rubles, and 100 pieces - from 980 to 1040 rubles.
Pregnancy and lactation
This drug has many limitations in use. The period of pregnancy and lactation is one of them. It's no secret that so many drugs can have a negative effect on the unborn child. In this case, there is a risk of developing various defects in the embryo and fetus. Many drugs, along with milk, are fed into the baby’s body by the breast-feeding mother. They can have the most detrimental effect on him. The drug "Urdoxa" during pregnancy and lactation is prohibited. This rule should be strictly observed. In any case, all medicines taken by women during this period of their life, which are responsible for them, should be prescribed by their doctor.
special instructions
We found out what indications and restrictions for use the drug we are considering has, and also examined in detail how to take Urdox. Now it remains to mention the special instructions noted in his instructions. So, this medication is not recommended for use with medications that increase biliary elimination of cholesterol. These, as a rule, include contraceptive contraceptives, estrogens, and some lipid-lowering drugs. It is also forbidden to drink alcohol during treatment.
The drug "Urdoksa": analogues
When using any medicine, it may be useful to know the names of medicines that have a similar effect. The drug "Urdoksa" has the following analogues:
- Livodex;
- "Urso 100";
- "Ursodez";
- "Ursodeoxycholic acid";
- Ursodex;
- "Ursoliv";
- Ursorom Rompharm
- Ursorom S;
- Ursofalk;
- Ursosan
- "Exhol";
- "Choludexan".
If we analyze the cost of all these medicines, we can conclude that in the price range somewhere in the middle is the drug “Urdoxa”. Customer reviews suggest that in some cases they preferred this tool to its expensive counterparts as more effective.
Urdoxa or Ursosan? What's better?
Why is it important to know if any medicine has analogues? The most significant argument here is the price of the medicine. It's no secret that at present, doctors in clinics often prescribe very expensive advertised drugs, instead of prescribing cheaper analogues. The drug we are considering has a lot of drugs similar in composition and effect.
For example, let’s try to compare it with one of its analogues. Let's find out which is better: “Urdoksa” or “Ursosan”? In both cases, ursodeoxycholic acid acts as the active substance. Its concentration in both drugs is the same and is 250 mg per 1 capsule. The release form is also the same. Medications are in the form of gelatin capsules. If we compare their cost, we can conclude that the tool “Urdoksa” is much cheaper than its counterpart. So, its cost is on average 550-600 rubles for a 50-piece package. And the price of Ursosan is an order of magnitude higher. It averages 750-800 rubles. The difference in cost is substantial. Therefore, it may make sense to purchase a cheaper analogue of the Ursosan drug.
The difference in these two medicines is observed only in the list of indications for use. Ursosan has a bit more. In addition to primary cirrhosis of the liver and biliary reflux gastritis, these include diseases such as primary sclerosing cholangitis, gallstone disease, acute and chronic viral hepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis, various liver damage due to toxicosis (including alcohol and drug) , cystic fibrosis, biliary dyskinesia. And in the instructions for the drug "Ursosan" it is said that it can be used by pregnant women for treatment, if only the expected benefit to the mother exceeds the possible risk of complications in the fetus. While the drug "Urdoksa" is strictly prohibited for this category of women. In any case, do not be shy to ask your attending physician for advice on whether the drugs prescribed by him have cheaper analogues. It is not necessary to solve the questions yourself: which is more effective, “Urdoxa” or “Ursosan” - which is better in a particular situation? A competent specialist will dispel all doubts of their patients.
Doctors reviews
There are not so many experts comments on this drug. Most of them come down to recommendations for consumers not to diagnose themselves or prescribe medications on their own. This can only be done by a competent doctor in this matter. Also, experts warn that it is not necessary to purchase cheaper analogues of medicines without medical advice. After all, this is fraught with consequences. The fact is that, despite the similarity in the composition and principle of action, there are drugs that are supplemented with various components that mitigate their side effects. Only a doctor can determine which remedy is suitable for the patient in a particular situation.
Patient Reviews
The forums have a lot of information about where people write that the attending physician prescribed Urdoxa medicine to them. Their reviews about this tool are very different. Someone writes that he helps very well and does not cause any unpleasant moments. But there are lots of comments where people complain about the side effects of this medicine. So, for example, one of the most common complaints made by consumers is exacerbation of existing psoriasis, nausea, diarrhea, and flatulence. The last of this list, according to gastroenterologists, is most likely associated with the occurrence of dysbiosis in the treatment process. Correcting the situation here is easy.
Nowadays, pharmacies have many different effective drugs that can eliminate dysbiosis. All of these side effects are on the list of side effects. Therefore, their occurrence is not sudden. If they do not pass within a few days after the start of taking the drug, experts recommend canceling it, replacing it with another medication that your doctor will prescribe. There are people who claim that this tool helped them completely get rid of gallstones. The treatment results were confirmed by ultrasound of the biliary tract. In addition, many patients noted an improvement in well-being already in the second week of using the drug. They noted that the bitterness in the mouth disappeared, the pain under the ribs on the right passed. However, there are also such consumers who are sure that this drug is too ineffective in this regard. Some users write that they often take it with them on vacation in order to protect their liver from adverse external factors. They say that on vacation indulge in excesses in the form of strong drinks and high-calorie foods. And Urdoksa simply “saves” them, protecting their liver from overloads. It is worth recalling only that this drug has some contraindications and special instructions. Only a doctor can take them into account. Therefore, without his advice, it is unreasonable to take Urdox medicine on your own.
We examined one of the drugs for the treatment of certain liver diseases and found that it is widely known and in demand by the population.