In the article, we consider the instructions for use and reviews for the Ursofalk preparation.
It relates to drugs with hepatoprotective property. Its main quality is the dissolution of stones in the gallbladder.
Structure
The main active component of Ursofalk is ursodeoxycholic acid. In addition, tablets are supplemented with auxiliary components such as corn starch, magnesium stearate and silicon dioxide.
The properties
The main property of the drug is its choleretic effect. Taking tablets provokes a decrease in biliary lithogenicity, increases the content of acids in bile and enhances the secretion of the stomach and gall bladder. In addition, Ursofalk increases the intensity of the action of lipase, thereby creating a hypoglycemic effect. Taking the drug allows you to partially or completely dissolve the stones and reduce the saturation of bile.
Another property of the drug is an increase in the immune qualities of the liver. It reduces the number of eosinophils, and also affects the level of T-lymphocytes and reduces the effect of antigens on the hepatocyte membranes. Reviews about Ursofalk are abundant.
Indications
There are a number of indications for the appointment of funds, namely:
- In order to dissolve the stones found in the gallbladder.
- Biliary reflux gastritis.
- The primary form of cirrhosis of the liver is biliary type with no symptoms of decompensation.
- Hepatitis in a chronic form of various origins.
- Primary sclerosing cholangitis.
- Cystic fibrosis (along with other drugs).
- Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.
- Liver disease due to excessive alcohol consumption.
- Biliary dyskinesia.
Thus, the drug is intended for the treatment of various pathological conditions of the liver and gall bladder. Reviews about the use of Ursofalk for various diseases are mostly positive.
Contraindications
There are a number of diseases and conditions in which the use of Ursofalk is strictly prohibited. These include:
- Hypersensitivity to the substances that make up the tablets.
- The presence of x-ray stones in the gallbladder, in which there is an increased content of calcium.
- Dysfunctional gallbladder disorder.
- The presence of inflammatory processes in the gallbladder in an acute form.
- The presence of bile ducts.
- Cirrhosis of the liver in the decompensation stage.
- Severe disorders in the functioning of the pancreas and kidneys.
- Violation of the contractile function of the gallbladder.
- Bile duct obstruction.
- Recurrent form of biliary colic.
- Severe kidney and liver failure.
- Children's age up to three years.
- Difficulty swallowing tablets.
Side effects
According to reviews about Ursofalk, undesirable reactions can occur in various variations depending on the disease that required the drug. So, improper functioning of the digestive system can lead to diarrhea. The treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis may be accompanied by the development of acute pain syndrome located in the upper abdomen on the right.
From the liver, while taking the drug, calcification of stones can occur. In the treatment of the primary type of biliary cirrhosis of a pronounced nature, decompensation of the liver may develop, which is eliminated after the administration of the drug is completed. This is confirmed by the instructions and reviews about Ursofalk.
Very rarely, taking a medication can lead to the development of an allergic reaction, accompanied by urticaria. This is noted in the reviews of the side effects of Ursofalk patients. If the condition worsens while taking the drug, as well as when the unwanted reactions listed above appear, you should contact a specialist to adjust the dosage or replace the product with an analogue.
Drug interaction
When taking the drug, it is necessary to take into account its interaction with some other substances and drugs.
The absorption of ursodeoxycholic acid in the intestine decreases under the influence of antacids, as well as Colestipol and Colestyramine, which include aluminum hydroxide. This significantly reduces the impact of Ursofalk. If it is impossible to avoid the simultaneous administration of these drugs, then at least two hours should pass between them.
Ursodeoxycholic acid increases the intestinal absorption rate of Cycloposporin components. When used simultaneously with Ursofalk, it is necessary to monitor the concentration of the drug in the blood. Sometimes it may be necessary to adjust the dosage of cyclosposporin.
The absorption of ciprofloxacin is also reduced while taking with Ursofalk. In combination with Rosuvastatin, a slight increase in the active substances of this drug in plasma occurs. The therapeutic effect of taking Dapsone is also reduced under the influence of the components of Ursofalk.
Drug use
Ursofalk is intended for oral administration. If the patient's body weight is less than 47 kilograms, as well as in the case of inability to swallow tablets, it is recommended to take the drug in the form of a suspension. Ursofalk is taken immediately before going to bed. The tablets do not need to be chewed.
The duration of treatment with the drug can be up to a year. If after this period the stones have not decreased in size, you must cancel the reception of "Ursofalk." As a prevention of cholelithiasis, tablets are taken from two to four months. An assessment of the positive dynamics from the treatment of “Ursofalk” should be carried out every six months using ultrasound and X-ray.
In the treatment of reflux gastritis, half a pill is taken before bedtime. The course of therapy is up to six months, and in some cases can last up to two years. Therapy of cirrhosis of the primary type consists in taking 2-3 tablets. The first few months, the daily dose can be divided several times. After receiving a positive result from the dose, the dosage is reduced to once before bedtime. The course of treatment for cirrhosis in primary form is not limited in time. At the beginning of the treatment of this disease, the patient's health may be worsened, which is accompanied, for example, by itching.
A single dosage in the treatment of hepatitis of any genesis in a chronic form is 15 mg per kilogram of patient weight. The duration of the course of taking the tablets reaches from six months to one year. In the treatment of primary sclerosing cholangitis , the dosage is similar, however, is taken twice a day. Sometimes in especially severe cases, the dosage can double and amount to 30 mg per kilogram of weight. Treatment in this case can be up to several years.
Therapy for cystic fibrosis involves taking a daily dosage twice a day at a rate of 15 mg per kilogram of weight. Sometimes the dosage can also double. With this disease, the course of treatment will be 6 months.
A liver disease of alcoholic origin is treated with 15 mg of the drug per kilogram of weight and is taken three times a day. Therapy is carried out up to a year. Biliary dyskinesia involves taking 10 mg twice a day.
A special place in the instructions is the use of the drug in childhood. "Ursofalk" from jaundice, according to parents, helps very well.
Children taking the drug
For children, the drug is given only in the form of a suspension. If the weight of the child has not reached 10 kilograms, a single dosage is 15 mg per kilogram. It is necessary to measure the required amount of Ursofalk with a syringe, however, it is not included in the package of the preparation and must be purchased separately.
Before using the drug, the vial with the suspension must be shaken well. Next, the product is poured into the measuring cup, and with the help of a syringe, the required amount is selected. Then the medicine is given to the child.
The instruction does not contain age restrictions for the suspension of children. Receiving a suspension is not tied to feeding the child, however, it is important to give the baby a drug immediately before going to bed.
Often prescribed "Ursofalk" for newborns from jaundice. Reviews on this subject are available. The duration of therapy in this case depends on the positive dynamics and how quickly the symptoms are eliminated.
Overdose
Overdose when taking "Ursofalk" is practically excluded. However, with excessive excess of the prescribed dosage of the drug, the most common symptom is a digestive disorder in the form of diarrhea. Other manifestations of an overdose are practically excluded, which is due to the properties of ursodeoxycholic acid. The level of the latter, when the dosage is exceeded, decreases, and most of the active substances of the drug are excreted in the feces.
Treatment with an overdose does not require specific measures. It consists in eliminating the symptoms, restoring the water-electrolyte balance. The appearance of an overdose does not require withdrawal of the drug; only dose adjustment is necessary.
Analogs
If Ursofalk cannot be found in pharmacies, you can use similar drugs. The main thing that you should pay attention to when choosing an analogue is the presence of ursodeoxycholic acid in the composition. This substance can become a substitute for bile acid produced in the body. It contributes to the metabolic process in the liver cells and allows you to solve problems such as cirrhosis and sclerosing cholangitis. In addition, ursodeoxycholic acid dissolves gallstones.
According to reviews, Ursofalk's analogues are no less effective.
The most complete and less expensive counterpart is Ursosan. If there are no contraindications for its administration, it is also used to dissolve gallstones. In addition, it can be used as a prophylactic in the postoperative period. Ursosan is also able to eliminate the symptoms of the chronic form of hepatitis, which was provoked by the toxic effects of certain drugs. There are also other analogues of Ursofalk, namely:
- Ursodez.
- Greenterol.
- Urdox.
Reviews about Ursofalk
Patients speak rather controversially about the drug. Basically, consumer indignation is caused by the high cost of the product, which at a cost of several thousand rubles per package. Due to the need for long-term use of the drug, reaching up to a year or even several years, the cost of such treatment costs very considerable amounts.
In reviews of Ursofalk, one often finds the opinion that manufacturers pursue exclusively selfish goals by selling the drug at such a high price. However, as many have noted, the drug has no other drawbacks. It really effectively helps to fight various problems of the liver and gall bladder. For many, the drug helped to avoid surgery by dissolving gallstones.
According to reviews, Ursofalk is perfect for newborns. Many call the advantage of the drug that in the form of a suspension it is convenient to give it to small children.
As for adverse reactions to taking the drug, then the reviews are also very diverse. Some say that they are absent in principle, while others report symptoms such as soreness in the abdomen, digestive upsets, and hair loss.
Ursofalk: reviews of doctors
Some reviews of specialists contain information about its effectiveness only as part of complex therapy, and not as a single drug. The drug helped many patients only in combination with special gymnastics and folk treatment methods.
We examined the Ursofalk medication instructions for use and reviews.