This article will provide detailed instructions for the use of Ursokhol. We will tell you about why this drug is prescribed, what side effects and contraindications it has. In addition, from this article you will learn about the cost of the drug in question, its analogues and pharmacological properties.
The composition of the medical product, release form and packaging
Instructions for use "Ursokhol" states that this drug is sold only in capsule form. The active element of this tool is ursodeoxycholic acid. As for the additional components, pharmacists use the following substances as them: potato starch, magnesium stearate, methyl cellulose and anhydrous silicon colloidal dioxide.
In the pharmacy, the drug “Ursokhol” can be purchased in blister packs placed in a cardboard box (10, 50 or 100 pieces each).
Pharmacological properties of the drug
Instructions for use "Ursochol" contains information that this drug has hepatoprotective, membrane-stabilizing, immunomodulating, choletic and choleretic action.
The active element of the drug is easily integrated into the hepatocyte membrane, stabilizing its structure and protecting the liver cells from damaging factors.
The drug inhibits the absorption of bile lipophilic acids in the intestine, increasing their "fractional" turnover during enterohepatic circulation. In doing so, it induces the formation of bile rich in bicarbonates. As a result of this, its passage increases, and the output of toxic bile acids through the intestines is also stimulated.
Substituting bile nonpolar acids, the Ursokhol medicine is able to form mixed non-toxic micelles. This drug also reduces cholesterol synthesis in an organ such as the liver.
The active substance is able to form crystals (liquid) with cholesterol molecules , as well as inhibit its absorption in the intestine, reduce the lithogenicity of bile, lower the cholesterol-cholesterol index, dissolve cholesterol stones and prevent their appearance.
In case of cholestasis, the medication activates calcium-dependent proteinase, lowers the concentration of bile acids (lithocholic, cholic, deoxycholic, etc.) and stimulates exocytosis.
The immunological activity of the drug is due to a decrease in the “attack” of immunocompetent immunoglobulins.
Pharmacokinetics of the drug
What does the attached instruction say about the pharmacokinetics of the drug? "Ursokhol" is a medication that is rapidly absorbed in the small and ileum after oral administration. Good absorption in the intestine occurs due to passive diffusion and active transport, respectively.
The maximum concentration of the drug in plasma is observed 30-60 minutes after administration.
With constant use, the active substance becomes the main bile acid in the blood. Moreover, it makes up about 97-99% of the total content.
The drug penetrates well through the placental barrier. Approximately 50-75% of the dose of the drug is excreted with bile, as well as feces (partially).
Indications for the use of the drug
In what cases do doctors prescribe Ursokhol medication to patients? Instructions, reviews of specialists say that this tool is excellent in relation to such deviations as:
- toxic (including alcohol and drug) liver damage;
- acute hepatitis, active chronic hepatitis with cholestatic syndrome;
- biliary cirrhosis of the liver (primary), atresia of the intrahepatic biliary tract, sclerosing cholangitis (primary), cholestasis with parenteral nutrition;
- biliary dyskinesia;
- cystic fibrosis of the liver (cystic fibrosis);
- reflux gastritis (biliary) and reflux esophagitis;
- the presence of gallstones (cholesterol) in the gallbladder (if there is no possibility of their removal by endoscopic or surgical means).
Among other things, the drug we are considering is used to prevent liver damage during the use of hormonal cytostatics and contraceptives.
Contraindications to the use of the drug
In what cases is it not recommended to use the medication we are considering? Reviews on the use of "Ursokhol" say that this drug has a fairly large number of contraindications. Consider their list right now:
- cirrhosis of the liver, especially in the stage of decompensation;
- hypersensitivity of the patient to drug substances;
- acute diseases of the gallbladder, intestines and biliary tract, which are inflammatory in nature;
- ulcerative colitis is nonspecific;
- the presence of calcified gallstones, impaired contractility of the gallbladder, complete obstruction of the biliary tract, hepatic colic;
- severe disorders of the pancreas or kidneys;
- Crohn's disease;
- pregnancy.
Is it possible to take “Ursokhol” while breastfeeding a baby? Reviews of doctors say that if it is necessary to prescribe a medication during lactation, it is necessary to resolve the issue of stopping breastfeeding. Otherwise, the health of the newborn baby can be noticeably worse.
The drug "Ursokhol": instructions for use
Reviews about this medication we will provide a little further. Now I want to tell you how such a drug should be taken correctly.
To use the medicine we are considering should only be inside. In this case, the capsules should never be chewed. They only need to be washed down with a sufficient amount of clean water.
The daily dosage of this drug is taken at a time. It is advisable to do this immediately before bedtime.
For the treatment of chronic and acute liver diseases, as well as for the dissolution of gallstones, the medication is prescribed in a dosage of 10 mg / kg once a day. Drug treatment is carried out continuously for a long time.
If there is an injection of bile into the esophagus or stomach, then the patient is prescribed 1 capsule per day. The duration of therapy is from six months to a year.
For the prevention of cholelithiasis (re), doctors recommend taking the medicine for several months after all the stones have dissolved.
In the treatment of chronic liver diseases, the duration of treatment can be from a couple of months to two years.
With reflux esophagitis (biliary) and reflux gastritis, the medication should be taken 250 mg once a day immediately before bedtime. The course of such therapy is usually 10-14 days.
With biliary cirrhosis (primary), the drug is prescribed in a volume of 10 mg / kg.
The medicine we are considering can be prescribed even to small children. But at the same time, the weight of the child should be considered.
Children with a body weight of 25-50 kg are given 1 capsule per day. As for the child weighing more than 50 kg, then he is prescribed 2 capsules.
Drug overdose
Instructions for use "Ursokhol" does not contain any information about an overdose of this drug. However, this fact does not mean that it can be taken without control and without the appointment of a doctor.
In some cases, after improper administration of the medication we are considering, patients may experience signs of an overdose such as diarrhea. To get rid of this symptom, you must stop taking the medicine. As a symptomatic treatment, doctors recommend maintaining a balance of electrolytes and fluids in the body.
Side effects
Can the drug "Ursokhol" negatively affect the human body? The use of this medication in some cases really causes some side effects. Consider their list right now:
- diarrhea;
- allergic reactions;
- increased blood transaminases;
- nausea;
- itchy skin;
- pain in the epigastric region.
Interaction with other medical devices
Can I take the medicine we are considering with other medications at the same time? What does the attached instruction say about this? Ursokhol is not recommended to be taken simultaneously with cholestyramine, colestipol and antacids that contain aluminum hydroxide. This is due to the fact that these medications significantly reduce the absorption process and the effect of the drug. Therefore, their simultaneous reception is impractical.
One cannot fail to say that the effectiveness of the drug under consideration is also reduced by such means as Bezafibrat, Klofibrat, and Probukol. This fact is due to the fact that during their administration, cholesterol secretion increases significantly.
Among other things, the drug "Ursokhol" increases the effectiveness of antidiabetic drugs taken orally.
Features of the use of the drug
What you need to know before you start to take the medicine "Ursokhol"? Reviews of this drug say that it should be used only for the purpose of dissolving bile cholesterol stones (i.e., X-ray negative), the size of which does not exceed 15-20 millimeters. Moreover, the therapy with this medicine is allowed only with a working gallbladder, as well as with preserved patency of the common bile and cystic duct.
To monitor the effectiveness of treatment, experts recommend an X-ray and ultrasound examination of the biliary tract every six months . In the event that after six months (after the start of taking the drug), the reduction of gallstones did not happen, then there is no point in continuing the therapy.
Representatives of the weaker sex of childbearing age during treatment with this drug should use only non-hormonal contraceptives or hormonal oral contraceptives that have a low estrogen content.
With prolonged use of the medication (longer than one month), a biochemical blood test should be taken periodically (at least once a month). This is necessary in order to determine the activity of hepatic transaminases (in the first 3 months of treatment).
In the event that the patient has abnormalities in the biochemical picture of the blood, then doctors are required to reduce the dosage of the drug. If within one month the indicators do not normalize, then the medication should be discontinued.
The cost of the drug and its analogues
The price of the drug "Ursokhol" varies from 180-250 Russian rubles (for 10 capsules). Due to the fact that this medication should be taken for a long time, therapy can cost the patient very expensive.
What drug to use if you could not find the Ursokhol medicine? Analogues of this medication can be found in any pharmacy. These include the following drugs: Ursofalk, Ursosan, Holudeksan, Livodeksa, Ukrliv, Urdoksa, Ursodeks and Ursolizin.
Drug Reviews
According to patient reviews, the Ursokhol medication effectively dissolves cholesterol stones in the gall bladder, and also prevents their re-formation. In addition, this drug well treats various liver diseases, including its toxic lesions, acute and chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, etc.
As for negative reviews, most often they are associated with side effects, as well as the high cost of the drug. Although experts argue that the price of this medication is fully consistent with its quality and effectiveness.