Ursodez

Ursodez has hepatoprotective, hypoglycemic, cholelitolitic, choleretic, hypocholesterolemic, hypolipidemic and immunomodulating effects.

Its use causes a slowdown in the occurrence of cholesterol in the liver, a reduction in its presence in the bile and digestion in the intestine, stimulating the formation and separation of bile, as well as enhancing the ability of cholesterol to dissolve in the bile withdrawal system.

This medication can reduce the level of lithogenicity of bile and raise the level of acids. The use of Ursodez leads to an improvement in gastric and pancreatic secretion, as well as the activity of lipase.

Clinical and pharmacological group

Hepatoprotector with choleretic and cholelitholytic action.

Terms of sale from pharmacies

Can buyby prescription.

Price

How much does Ursodez cost in pharmacies? The average price is at the level of790 rubles.

Composition and form of release

Ursodez is available in a capsule dosage form for oral (oral) administration. They are white, small in size and have a smooth surface.

The main active substance of the drug is ursodeoxycholic acid, the content of which in one capsule can be 250 and 500 mg.

Also in the capsules are additional substances, which include:

• Magnesium stearate.
• Gelatin.
• Titanium dioxide.
• Hypromellose.

Capsules are packaged in a contiguous cell pack of 10 pieces or a polymer bottle of 30 or 50 pieces each. The cardboard pack contains 1, 3 or 5 contour squares or 1 polymer bottle with an appropriate number of capsules, as well as instructions for the use of the drug.

Pharmacological effect

Ursodez tablets have pronounced properties of the hepatoprotector. The medication has a choleretic effect, reduces the concentration of cholesterol in the bile and its biosynthesis in the liver. Ursodez reduces the absorption of this substance in the intestine. The medicinal substance increases the ability of cholesterol to form homogeneous structures (solutions) in the hepatobiliary system, enhances the formation and excretion of bile.

Capsules improve gastric and pancreatic secretion, stimulate the activation of lipase. The drug has a hypoglycemic effect, promotes the excretion of cholesterol from gallstones, or concrements. The active substance of Ursodez capsules reduces the expression of antigens on the cell membrane of hepatocytes, affects the production of T-lymphocytes, interleukin-2, reduces the concentration of eosinophils. The drug enhances the functional activity of the pancreas, stomach.

Ursodeoxycholic acid is absorbed from the small intestine due to passive diffusion and subsequent active transport. The maximum concentration in the blood drug reaches an hour after taking the drug. Binding to plasma proteins is 97-99%. The active ingredient of the agent is metabolized with the formation of conjugates. Approximately 50-70% of the medication taken is excreted by bile.

Indications for use

Ursodez tablets have an instruction for use, which clearly indicates the list of diseases or pathologies in which it is recommended to take this medication. Let's consider the given list.

1. Biliary reflux-gastritis. Helps to remove inflammation of the gastric mucosa, and regular reception is able to completely rid the person of this pathology.
2. Dissolution of cholesterol stones. Most often, the remedy is used for this particular ailment, because it can destroy small and medium-sized stones practically independently.
3. Many types of chronic hepatitis. In this case, it is necessary to consult a doctor for a specific case.
4. Alcoholic liver disease. Helps to start recovery processes in the body, which began to break down under the constant influence of alcohol.
5. Primary cirrhosis of the liver. It is worth paying attention to the primary, because in neglected situations Ursodez will not be able to completely restore the tissue. This requires stronger drugs.

Contraindications

The use of medicines is prohibited under the following conditions:

1. Especially pronounced decrease in the activity of liver, kidney, pancreas;
2. Pregnancy and the period of breastfeeding;
3. Children up to three years;
4. Failures in the functioning of the gallbladder;
5. Acute inflammatory process, passing in the gallbladder, bile duct and intestine;
6. Cirrhosis of the liver, accompanied by a marked decrease in the work of the organ;
7. Presence of stones with a high content of salts;
8. Hypersensitivity to the body.

Also, adults and children, whose weight does not reach 34 kg, taking the drug is also prohibited.

Intended use for pregnancy and lactation

Use of the drug is contraindicated in these periods.

Dosage and route of administration

As indicated in the instructions for use capsules Ursodez taken inside, swallowing whole and squeezed a little water.

Dose and treatment is prescribed by the doctor on the basis of clinical indications.

Recommended daily dosing of Ursodeza:

• Cystic fibrosis: 0.02-0.03 g per kg of body weight in 2-3 divided doses. Treatment is long - from 6 months or more;
• Biliary reflux gastritis: 0.25 g once a day in the evening before bedtime. The course of treatment is from 0.5 to 6 months, if necessary - up to 24 months;
• Symptomatic therapy of primary biliary cirrhosis: based on , 1-, 15 g per 1 kg of body weight, during the first three months the daily dose is divided into 2-3 doses. After improving the liver function parameters, you can switch to a single dose in the evening. The duration of the course of treatment is not limited. If at the beginning of treatment clinical symptoms worsen (in the form of frequent itching), the daily dose should be reduced to 0.25 g and continue treatment, gradually increasing it until it reaches the recommended one;
• Dissolution of cholesterol gallstones: based on 0.01 g of ursodeoxycholic acid per kg of body weight of the patient, once a day (before bedtime in the evening). Duration of treatment is from 6 to 24 months. In the absence of a therapeutic effect (reduction in the size of the stones) after 12 months of treatment, further use of the drug should be discontinued. The effectiveness of treatment is evaluated every 6 months by ultrasound (ultrasound) or radiography. During the interim survey, the structure of the stones is assessed. If the calcification of stones has occurred during the past period, treatment should be stopped. After complete dissolution of the stones, the drug should be taken for several months in order to prevent recurrent cholelithiasis;
• Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, chronic hepatitis of various genesis, alcoholic liver disease: 0.01-0.015 g per 1 kg of body weight in 2-3 doses, treatment is continued for 6-12 months or more;
• Primary sclerosing cholangitis: , 12-, 15 g per 1 kg of weight in 2-3 divided doses. If necessary, the dose can be increased to 0.02 g per kg per day. The duration of the course is from 6 months or more;
• Dyskinesia of bile ducts: on average 0.01 g per 1 kg of body weight, the dose received is divided into 2 doses. The course of treatment is 0.5-2 months. If necessary, the course of therapy is repeated.

Since the daily dose of Ursodez is prescribed from the calculation of a certain dose per 1 kg of the patient's weight, the result is a number that is not always a multiple of the whole capsule in a dose of 0.25 g. Therefore, it is recommended to round off the result obtained and use the following daily doses of the drug in the appointment:

• , 1 g per 1 kg of body weight: with a weight of 34-35 kg - 0.25 g; 36-60 kg - 0.5 g; 61-85 kg - 0.75 g; 86-110 kg - 1 g;
• , 12 g per 1 kg of weight: 34-50 kg - 0.5 g; 51-70 kg - 0.75 g; 71-90 kg - 1 g; 91-110 kg - 1.25 g;
• , 15 g per 1 kg of weight: 34-40 kg - 0.5 g; 41-55 kg - 0.75 g; 56-70 kg - 1 g; 71-90 kg - 1.25 g; 90-105 kg - 1.5 g; 106-110 kg - 1.75 g;
• , 2 g per 1 kg: 34-40 kg - , 5 g; 41-55 kg - 1 g; 56-65 kg - 1.25 g; 66-80 kg - 1.5 g; 81-90 kg - 1.75 g; 91-105 kg - 2 g; 106-110 kg - 2.25 g;
• , 3 g per 1 kg of weight: 34-35 kg - 1 g; 36-45 kg - 1.25 g; 46-50 kg - 1.5 g; 51-60 kg - 1.75 g; 61-70 kg - 2 g; 71-75 kg - 2.25 g; 76-85 kg - 2.5 g; 86-95 kg - 2.75 g; 96-100 kg - 3 g, 101-110 kg - 3.25 g.

For treatment of children over the age of 3 years, the dosing regimen is administered individually; it is recommended to use 0.01-0.02 g per kg per day.

Adverse Reactions

Ursodez can cause the following side reactions:

1. Desires for vomiting;
2. Indigestion disorder;
3. A feeling of pain under the right rib and in the abdomen;
4. Manifestations of allergy;
5. Increased activity of hepatic transaminases;
6. Calcium saturation of gallstones;
7. Pain in the spine.

In people with biliary cirrhosis of the primary type, sometimes there is a transient decompensation, but after giving up the described drug, it passes by itself.

Overdose

At the moment there were no cases of overdose. If an overdose occurs, then symptomatic treatment is needed (it is often enough to rinse the stomach). If the situation is serious, it is worth calling an ambulance so that the doctor examines the victim from an overdose.

But still Ursodez does not contain toxic substances that can harm the body, and therefore, even in large quantities, it is not dangerous.

special instructions

The use of Ursodez should be carried out under the supervision of a doctor.

During the first 3 months of treatment, liver function tests (transaminases, amphoteric and GGT) in the blood serum should be monitored every 4 weeks, and then every 3 months. Control of these parameters allows us to identify violations of liver function in the early stages. This also applies to patients in the late stages of primary biliary cirrhosis. In addition, it is possible to quickly determine if the patient is responding to primary biliary cirrhosis for ongoing treatment.

Treatment of patients in advanced stages of primary biliary cirrhosis

Patients with diarrhea should reduce the dose of the drug. With persistent diarrhea, treatment should be discontinued.

Very rarely there were cases of decompensation of liver cirrhosis. After discontinuation of therapy, regression of manifestations of decompensation was noted.

Long-term therapy with ursodeoxycholic acid in high doses (28-30 mg / kg / day) can lead to the development of serious side effects in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis.

Application for the dissolution of cholesteric gallstones

In order to assess the progress in treatment, as well as for the timely detection of signs of calcification of stones, the gallbladder should be visualized (oral cholecystography) with examination of blackouts in the standing and lying on the back (US) 6-10 months after the start of treatment. If the gallbladder can not be visualized on X-rays or in the case of calcification of stones, weak contractility of the gallbladder or frequent attacks of colic, the drug Ursodez should not be used.

Compatibility with other drugs

In some cases, Ursodez lowers the absorption of ciprofloxacin.

Ursodeoxycholic acid stimulates the absorption of Ciclosporin from the digestive system.

Colestipol, Colestyramine, and antacid preparations containing aluminum hydroxide or alumina impair absorption in the intestine of ursodeoxycholic acid and, as a result, reduce its effectiveness. It is advised to do a two-hour break between the methods of Ursodez and similar preparations.

Lipid-lowering agents, estrogens, gestagens and neomycin increase the cholesterol content in bile and can weaken the ability of the drug to dissolve bile cholesterol-type calculi.

Reviews

We offer you to get acquainted with the opinions of people who used Ursodez:

1. Lera. I have sand... fatty liver, cholecystopancreatitis.. I take 1 month for 2 tablets on an empty stomach in the morning and at lunch... from the second month, 3 tablets a night. After the first month of admission, bones became lighter, and, most importantly, the analysis for hepatic tests showed a 2-fold decrease. I think this is an important indicator. I recommend taking Ursodez!!! Of course, after consulting a doctor.
2. Oleg. For two years I suffer from cholelithiasis. Operation to do or make is afraid, therefore I try to be treated medicamentally. Initially, Ursosan took, but then the doctor appointed a more effective, in his opinion, an analogue of Ursodez. Saw 4-5 capsules before bedtime. After a lapse of 5 months from the beginning of the treatment course, I managed to go into remission.
3. Anna. The drug is very good, with fatty hepatosis and postcholecystectomy syndrome in general irreplaceable. Its analogues are much more expensive. Considering that taking Ursodez should be a long time, you get a very weighty savings!!! I am a gastroenterologist myself, I appoint and are very pleased with the effect in patients.

Analogues

In medical practice, the following drugs-analogues of Ursodez capsules are used:

• Urdoksa - a tool that has a hepatoprotective effect. Protects liver cells from damaging effects of bile salts, thereby reducing the cytotoxic effect of the latter.
• Choludexan - a drug reduces the ability of gastric reflux to have a damaging effect on cell membranes with reflux-esophagitis, biliary reflux gastritis. The drug contributes to the elimination of intrahepatic cholestasis.
• Ursosan - reduces the absorption of lipophilic bile acids in the intestines, induces choleresis.
• Exhal - the drug helps reduce the saturation of bile with cholesterol by inhibiting its absorption in the intestine. The medication has a cytoprotective effect, stabilizes the cell membrane of hepatocytes. The drug contributes to the dissolution of cholesterol stones.
• Livedoksa - a drug that stabilizes the membranes of cholangiocytes, hepatocytes, which reduces the secretion of hydrophobic acids, which has a hypocholesterolemic effect.
• Ursofalk - the drug has a choleretic effect. Reduces the production of cholesterol in the liver. Helps reduce its concentration in bile. The agent increases the solubility of cholesterol.
• Urso is a medicinal preparation that stimulates pancreatic and gastric secretion, which increases lipase activity.
• Ursoliv - a medicamental agent has a direct protective effect on hepatocytes, reduces the toxicity of hydrophobic bile salts.
• Ursolite - helps to reduce the concentration of cholesterol in the bile, mainly by dispersion and the formation of a liquid-crystalline phase.
• Ursor C - the active substance of the drug forms double molecules that have the ability to penetrate into the composition of cellular membranes (cholangiocytes, hepatocytes of the epithelial cells of the gastrointestinal tract) and make them immune to the effect of cytotoxic micelles.
• Ursoron Romparm - reliably detains the process of proliferation of connective tissue in patients with primary alcoholic steatohepatitis, biliary cirrhosis, cystic fibrosis.

Before buying an analogue, consult your doctor.

Shelf life and storage conditions

The shelf life of capsules Ursodez with a dosage of 250 is 5 years, 500 mg dosage is 3 years. The drug should be stored in intact original packaging, dark, dry, inaccessible to children at an air temperature of no more than + 25 ° C.

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