According to the instructions for use, Ultop is designed to slow down the process of generating gastric juice. The drug does not have an anticholinergic effect. Active components do not interact with histamine H2 receptors. The main substance due to which the medication shows a pronounced effect is omeprazole. This compound is capable of creating irreversible complexes with gastric enzymes. The reaction is localized on the outside of the parietal gastric cells.
Performance Specificity
Ultop tablets based on omeprazole provide a weakening of the functionality of the proton pump. This affects the last stage of the generation of gastric juice, inhibiting biological processes. Under the influence of the active compound, acid secretion becomes less active, while it does not matter what the stimuli of the chemical process are. The drug affects the basal, stimulated production of a biological substance.
In the accompanying documentation for the Ultop tablets, the manufacturer draws attention to the dependence of the effect on the dosage of the drug. The development of the result of taking the medication requires a couple of hours, the duration of effectiveness reaches 70 hours. Reuse is associated with a cumulative effect. To achieve stable effectiveness, on average, four days of regular use of the drug is required. After completion of the therapeutic course, secretory gastric activity returns to its previous values in 3-7 days.
When will it help?
Indications "Ultopa" include gastroesophageal reflux pathology. With reflux esophagitis, on average, four weeks is enough for complete regeneration of the gastrointestinal mucosa. In the shortest possible time after the start of the therapeutic course, a weakening of symptoms is observed.
The drug is widely used in the treatment of ulcerative processes in the duodenum. Omeprazole, which is part of the Ultopa, has proven itself in the treatment of benign gastric ulcers. You can use the drug to treat ulcerations caused by a course of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
The instructions for use "Ultopa" there are instructions for using the drug, if necessary, to alleviate dyspeptic symptoms. You can use the tool for eradication Helicobacter pylori. The active combination of tablets is most effective when combining a medication with antibacterial drugs.
Clinical practice has proven the effectiveness of Ultop tablets to prevent aspiration of gastric acid. You can use the drug to adjust the condition of patients who have revealed Zollinger-Ellison pathology.
Forms of release and indications
In the instructions for the Ultop preparation, the manufacturer clarifies that the tablet form (10, 20 mg of the active compound in one tablet) is suitable for treating heartburn, pain in the stomach, other symptoms similar to manifestations of reflux, ulcers, if they are explained by acid dyspepsia. Ultop is also indicated for the prevention and treatment of benign gastric ulcers, intestinal ulcers, caused by the use of non-hormonal anti-inflammatory drugs. In the form of tablets, the drug is suitable for the prevention and treatment of erosion in the gastrointestinal tract in patients who previously suffered from lesions of this system and who underwent a long therapeutic course with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
An option for intravenous administration is available. In the instructions for use with the Ultop, it is recommended to use this form if the patient cannot take capsules for various reasons. In addition, intravenous infusions are made if the patient's condition is very serious, and the need to inhibit the processes of acid production in the gastrointestinal tract extends for five days or less. As a rule, “Ultop” is prescribed for ulcerative processes in the gastrointestinal tract, including those explained by anti-inflammatory therapy using non-hormonal drugs. “Ultop” into a vein is allowed with gastroesophageal reflux, Helicobacter pylori eradication, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
Options and Forms
According to the instructions for use, "Ultop" in the form of capsules is the most convenient form of administration recommended in the general case. It is the capsules that are most often prescribed to patients who need to inhibit the production of gastric juice. In this form, “Ultop” is allowed from the age of twelve.
In the accompanying documentation, the manufacturer indicates the need to use the composition in the morning. Prescribing the drug, the doctor will explain at the reception when to use Ultop: before or after meals. A reminder of this can also be found in the instructions for the medication: the drug is used in food before meals. When taking, it is necessary to swallow the capsule completely, without chewing it and without violating the integrity of the shell in another way. Ultop is washed down with small volumes of pure water. In a specific case, you should check with your doctor whether it is possible to use the medication at the time of eating - this is often allowed.
The duration of the therapeutic course, dosage are determined based on the response of the body to the drug, the tolerance of omeprazole to patients. Much depends on the diagnosis.
Volumes and diseases
With gastroesophageal reflux whitening, the optimal dosage of Ultopa in most cases is 20 mg per day. In the majority of patients, mucosal regeneration is noted by the end of the fourth week of taking the drug. If, after the primary therapeutic program, it was not possible to achieve healing of the mucous membranes, further administration is possible. As a rule, the next 4-8 weeks of regular use help to achieve the desired result.
In clinical practice, cases of using twice as large doses for reflux esophagitis were recorded if the case showed increased resistance to classical treatment. According to reviews, “Ultop” allowed to achieve healing of the mucous membranes in about 8 weeks. After this, the doctor usually recommends switching to a standard dose of 20 mg.
Acid reflux requires the use of Ultop as a maintenance drug for a long course. As a rule, the drug is prescribed in the amount of 10 mg per day. If the symptoms worsen, the volumes double.
Options and Doses
Apply "Ultop" in ampoules and capsules in the treatment of ulcerative processes, benign gastric ulcers. With this diagnosis, in most cases it is enough to use 20 mg of the drug per day. Scarring of the affected area in the duodenum is observed by the end of the fourth week of regular use. Benign gastric ulcer usually heals in twice as long. If the case is very severe or prone to relapse, you can use Ultop in a doubled volume (40 mg daily). A long course of treatment if there is a recurrence of an ulcer in the medical history requires the maintenance use of 20 mg of Ultopa every day. To prevent an exacerbation of an intestinal ulcer, 10 mg of Ultopa should be taken every day. If a relapse occurs, the dose is doubled.
The manufacturer “Ultopa” (Slovenian company Krka) in the accompanying documentation draws attention to the increased risk of relapse of peptic ulcer disease when Helicobacter pylori is infected, in the presence of bad habits (smoking), as well as in the age group up to 60 years and with a long course of the disease, when the ulcer showed yourself a year and longer. For these categories, initially “Ultop” is prescribed in an amount of 20 mg per day, halving if the course of the disease allows such a measure.
Helicobacter pylori eradication
According to reviews, “Ultop” shows pronounced effectiveness when it is necessary to correct the condition associated with this type of microflora. The manufacturer advises using the drug twice a day at 20 mg. The optimal scheme is a reception in the morning and evening, observing the twelve-hour gap between the procedures. The medicine is used in parallel with antimicrobial agents. The duration of treatment is one week.
Cases and Nuances
If it is necessary to prevent aspiration of gastric juice with general anesthesia, the drug is consumed in an amount of 40 mg before surgery, then the dose is repeated (in the same volume) 3-6 hours before the intervention.
In Zollinger-Ellison disease, first tablets are prescribed in the amount of 60 mg daily, gradually adjusting the dosage, evaluating the response of the body. They use the medication until the clinical manifestations have completely exhausted themselves. With a severe form of the disease and the ineffectiveness of other therapeutic approaches in 90% of cases, the use of the described drug in an amount of 20-120 mg per day is effective. If the course of the disease requires the use of more than 80 mg daily, this dose is divided into two doses.
With acid dyspepsia, the described composition should be used in a dosage of 10-20 mg per day. The duration of the course varies from two weeks to twice as much time. The specific duration is determined by the severity of the disease, symptoms. If it is not possible to eliminate the appearance of the disease in 4 weeks or in the near future after the symptoms disappear, relapse is observed, additional diagnosis and clarification of the disease is required.
Non-hormonal anti-inflammatory: consequences and their treatment
As a rule, treatment of ulcerative processes in the stomach or intestines, if caused by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, involves taking 20 mg of the drug once a day. In the main percentage of patients, symptoms soon completely disappear, and healing is observed by the end of the first month of taking the tablets.
If the initial therapeutic course did not show the desired outcome, the drug continues to be used in the same quantities. As a rule, the success of the program is marked by the end of the second month.
As a preventative measure with prolonged use of non-hormonal anti-inflammatory "Ultop" is prescribed in an amount of 20 mg. The drug is used every day at a stable time in the morning.
Case Nuances
"Ultop" is allowed to appoint persons of advanced age. This does not require dosage adjustment.
There is limited information on the use of the medication for the treatment of children under the age of twelve. The manufacturer recommends taking "Ultop" only if reflux esophagitis is detected in severe form and is accompanied by mucosal manifestations. The main objective of the course is to alleviate symptoms and stimulate regenerative processes. The dose is selected individually, focusing on the patient’s body weight. Based on official forecasts, up to 65% of cases are accompanied by pain relief. The duration of the therapeutic course should be chosen by the attending doctor.
It is not necessary to adjust the dosage if impaired renal function is established. In case of liver function failures, a half-life, bioavailability of omeprazole is possible. This forces to limit the daily dose: as a rule, no more than 20 mg per day.
If the individual characteristics of the patient do not allow swallowing the capsule, it is allowed to open the shell and take its inside, washed down with 100 mg of water. You can mix the contents in 10 ml of pure liquid without additives or natural juice, the acidity of which is less than five units. You can use fruit puree and yogurt - the contents of the capsule are stirred in it and swallowed completely. The mixture should be used immediately after preparation (within half an hour). Another format of administration is the resorption of the capsule; its core is washed down with liquid. Rubbing, chewing the inside of the capsules is prohibited.
Intravenous solution
In this form, the drug is indicated if the patient cannot take the capsules or the condition is assessed as very serious. For a day, it is recommended to use 40 mg of the substance. With Zollinger-Ellison disease, therapy begins with 60 mg. An increase in volumes is allowed if the condition of the patient requires it.
With cirrhosis of the liver, the half-life of the composition increases, which forces a decrease in the daily dosage: not more than 20 mg are prescribed per day.
The optimal format for use is infusion. The duration of the procedure is half an hour or more. Before the event, it is necessary to dissolve the medicinal powder in 100 mg of a five percent glucose solution and use it immediately when ready. Do not store the substance for more than six hours. The procedure for preparing the substance involves the introduction of a liquid into the bottle with the “Ultop”, after which the drug is introduced into the bag, the bottle for infusion.
If necessary, prepare a solution in a soft container using a double-edged corner, one end of which is introduced into the stopper of the bottle with the solution, the other into the capsule with the drug. The capsule is filled with liquid, then poured back into the bottle. The sequence is repeated until all omeprazole is dissolved.
What to replace: Ultopa analogues
If it is impossible to purchase the drug recommended by the doctor, it makes sense to consider possible alternatives. There are currently several medications based on omeprazole. When choosing a replacement, you should coordinate treatment with a doctor. Unauthorized selection of an alternative can lead to inefficiency of the therapeutic course or an increased likelihood of severe side effects.
As analogues to "Ultopu" you can consider:
- Omez.
- Omeprazole.
- Omitox.
- "Losek MAPS".
It is possible and impossible
The manufacturer lists all restrictions on taking, contraindications of “Ultopa” in the accompanying documentation for the drug. In particular, the composition cannot be used if hypersensitivity to the main active ingredient or additional components used by the manufacturer in the manufacture of the drug is established. A complete current list of substances can be found in the instructions for the specific form.
If “Ultop” is supposed to be used because of a stomach ulcer, a detailed examination is necessary to begin to exclude the presence of malignant diseases. It is known that the use of a medication can mask this symptomatology, which means that timely diagnosis is complicated.
It is not allowed to use Ultop and drugs containing atazanavir.
Information on the use of Ultop by pregnant women is limited. Use the substance only if the obvious benefit of the application significantly exceeds the possible risks.
Do not use omeprazole while breastfeeding. If it is impossible to stop using the composition during lactation, it is reasonable to decide on the transfer of the baby to another nutritional option.
Negative consequences: possible dangers
In general, as clinical practice shows, the medication is well tolerated by patients. With a short course, reversible side effects are possible. "Ultop" often provokes such reactions at the very beginning of administration. Severe responses of the body, although recorded, are extremely rare. In many cases, it was not possible to establish an exact relationship between taking the drug and the appearance of an unwanted response from the body.
It is known that omeprazole can cause confusion, a weak state, and craving for sleep. Some were sick and dizzy, sleep disturbances were observed, vertigo bothered. Concern is possible. In serious condition, there is a risk of an aggressive or depressed, apathetic state, hallucinations.
Presumably, the “Ultop” can provoke a violation of the speed and frequency of the rhythm of the heartbeat, vasculitis, swelling. There is a risk of epitaxis, stool disorders, abdominal pain and active gas formation. Occasionally, patients dry their mouths, candidiasis or stomatitis occurs. There is a possibility of intestinal irritation syndrome, weight loss, atrophic processes in the mucous membranes of the tongue. Occasionally, increased activity of liver enzymes was recorded, with severe hepatic impairment - encephalopathy. There is a risk of developing hepatitis, liver failure, as well as allergic skin reactions and hair loss.