Why is the drug "Choludexan" necessary? Instructions for use of the drug will be presented in our review. Also from the materials in this article you will learn about the form in which the drug we are considering is being released, what is included in its composition, what contraindications it has, whether it has side effects, etc.
The form of release of the drug, its packaging and composition
If you decide to purchase Holudexan tablets, then you will not succeed. After all, this drug is available only in the form of capsules. They are in contour cells, which, in turn, are placed in a cardboard box. One package contains 20 capsules.
The medicine “Choludexan” contains such an active element as ursodeoxycholic acid (in a volume of 300 mg).
Pharmacological characteristics of the drug
What is the drug "Choludexan"? Instructions for use states that it is a hepatoprotective agent. It is able to have cholelitolitic, immunomodulatory, hypolipidemic, choleretic and hypocholesterolemic effects.
Possessing rather high polar properties, the active component of the capsules forms mixed micelles (non-toxic) with toxic (apolar) bile acids. It is this fact that reduces the likelihood of developing reflux esophagitis and biliary reflux gastritis, during which cell membranes are damaged.
It should also be noted that ursodeoxycholic acid is able to form double molecules, which are subsequently included in the composition of cell membranes (for example, cholangiocytes, hepatocytes and epithelial cells of the gastrointestinal tract), stabilize them and make them immune to cytotoxic micelles.
By lowering the concentration of bile acids toxic to the liver cell, and by stimulating choleresis, which is rich in bicarbonates, the active element of the medication helps to eliminate intrahepatic cholestasis.
It is impossible not to say that the drug "Choledexan" is able to reduce the saturation of bile with cholesterol. This effect occurs as a result of inhibition of absorption of the active substance in the intestine, as well as a decrease in secretion in bile and suppression of synthesis in the liver.
After taking the drug inside, it accelerates the breakdown of cholesterol in bile, thereby forming crystals (liquid) with it. It should also be noted that this drug is able to lower the lithogenic index of bile.
After treatment with the drug “Choludexan”, cholesterol calculi dissolve in the patient. Also, this tool prevents the formation of new stones.
Pharmacokinetics of the drug
Where is the absorption of the drug "Choludexan"? The instructions for the use of capsules contain information that their active component is absorbed in the small (90%) and ileum (10%).
The maximum concentration of the active element in the blood (in a volume of 50 mg) is achieved after about 1.2-3 hours.
This medication penetrates the placental barrier. He has a very high connection with proteins (up to 97-99%).
The drug is metabolized in the liver. The drug is excreted along with bile.
Indications for use of the drug
In what cases is it indicated for use the drug "Choludexan", reviews of which will be presented a bit further? According to the instructions, this drug is prescribed for the following deviations:
- reflux esophagitis, including biliary;
- sclerosing cholangitis (primary);
- gallstone disease (not complicated type);
- biliary dyskinesia ;
- chronic active hepatitis ;
- atresia of the biliary tract (intrahepatic), as well as congenital atresia of the bile duct;
- toxic liver damage, including after taking medications;
- cystic fibrosis;
- alcoholic liver disease;
- non-alcoholic steatohepatitis;
- biliary cirrhosis (primary).
Contraindications
Under what pathologies should you never take the drug "Choludexan"? Instructions, reviews of experts say that this medication has a large number of contraindications:
- children's age (up to three years);
- X-ray gallstones (high in calcium);
- empyema of the gallbladder ;
- gall bladder dysfunction;
- gastro-biliary fistula;
- liver or kidney failure (severe);
- acute cholecystitis;
- infectious diseases (usually acute) of the bile ducts, intestines and gall bladder;
- bile duct obstruction;
- acute cholangitis;
- cirrhosis of the liver (especially in the stage of decompensation);
- hypersensitivity to the drug.
Cautious medication
In what cases should I use the “Holudexan” medication with extreme caution? Reviews of doctors say that its active component has no age restrictions. However, with extreme caution, capsules are given to children aged 3.5-4 years, since there is a likelihood of them swallowing difficulty.
Medication "Choludexan": instructions for use
The medication we are considering is taken only inside with food.
With such a deviation as reflux gastritis, including biliary, the drug is prescribed once a day before bedtime. The course of therapy can be from 10-16 days to 6 months (if necessary, up to 2 years). If the patient has diffuse liver diseases, then the dose is increased to 3 capsules per day.
In chronic liver pathologies, as well as cholelithiasis, the medication is taken continuously for a long time (months or even years) in the amount of 2 to 5 capsules per day. The duration of taking the stone dissolving agent is 3 months.
To prevent re-cholelithiasis (especially after cholecystectomy), the drug is prescribed one capsule twice a day for several months.
With liver damage (toxic, alcoholic and medicinal), as well as with atresia of the biliary tract, the medication must be taken in the amount of 3-5 capsules per day for six months or more. The same dosage persists with primary biliary cirrhosis, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis.
Side effects
What are the side effects of the drug "Choludexan"? Instructions for use, reviews of the medication state that after its use, patients may experience back pain, diarrhea, exacerbation of psoriasis, nausea, constipation, vomiting, increased activity of hepatic transaminases (transient), alopecia and calcification of stones (bile).
If these deviations occur, you should immediately stop taking the drug and consult a doctor.
Interaction with other medicines
Antacids, which contain ion-exchange resins and aluminum, can reduce the absorption of the drug. Hypolipidemic drugs increase the saturation of bile with cholesterol, which subsequently can reduce the ability of the drug to dissolve bile calculi.
It is impossible not to say that the agent under consideration enhances the therapeutic effect of hypoglycemic drugs intended for oral use.
The period of gestation and lactation
Women of childbearing age are advised to use non-hormonal contraceptives during the use of the medication.
Taking ursodeoxycholic acid during the period of gestation is possible only if the expected benefit for the woman outweighs the potential risk to the baby.
Currently, there is no information on the release of ursodeoxycholic acid along with breast milk. If you need to take this particular drug during lactation, then you should consider stopping the breastfeeding of the baby.
Special instructions for the use of the drug
When taking a medication to dissolve stones, the following conditions should be observed: stones must be X-ray negative (cholesterol). The size of the stones should not exceed 1.5-2 centimeters. At the same time, the gallbladder should function well and be filled with calculi no more than ½ part. In addition, it is very important that the patency of the common bile and cystic duct is preserved.
With prolonged therapy (more than one month) every 4 weeks the patient needs to conduct a biochemical blood test. This is required in order to determine the activity of hepatic transaminases.
Monitoring the effectiveness of therapy is recommended every 6 months. To do this, use x-ray and ultrasound.
After dissolving the stones, the patient should take the drug for another 3 months.
If, after six months after the start of treatment, partial dissolution of stones did not occur, then it is unlikely that therapy will be effective in the future.
The drug "Choludexan": analogues and cost
At present, the drug "Choludexan" can be purchased at the pharmacy for 550-600 Russian rubles (20 capsules). Given that the drug has to be taken for a rather long time, it is easy to understand that the treatment is very expensive. Unfortunately, you cannot replace the drug with cheaper analogues. This is due to the fact that other hepatoprotectors are quite expensive.
But what to do if you were not able to purchase the medicine "Choludexan"? Analogs of this drug can be found in any pharmacy. Among them, the following funds can be allocated: Ursodex, Ursoprim, Livodeks, Ursorom Rompharm, Urdoxa, Ursorom S, Ursosan, Ursolit, Ursodez, Exhol, Exhol Ursofalk ”,“ Ursoliv ”and so on.
Reviews about the drug
What do they say about the drug "Choludexan"? Reviews about this medication say that this is one of the best hepatoprotectors. Patients claim that after taking the drug, the symptoms of diseases disappear very quickly, as a result of which the person feels much better.
With cirrhosis of the liver, this medication in a short time helps to improve the patient's quality of life and gives hope for a long-awaited recovery.
Experts say that after taking the drug (at the end of the first week of treatment), patients completely disappear from symptoms such as heartburn, nausea and epigastric pain. The reviews of people who have experienced the effects of the drug we are considering on themselves confirm this information. However, doctors do not recommend completing therapy immediately after the onset of relief of the patient's condition. After all, to consolidate the result, it is extremely important to take the drug for several months.