Ursohol

Ursohol lipotropic drug contains ursodeoxycholic acid, which is actively used for hepatobiliary diseases.

Indications of the ursochola

Encapsulated lipotropic drug Ursohol is prescribed to eliminate concrements of bile cholesterol etiology, not determined by the X-ray method (provided the bile function is preserved).

In addition, Ursohol is appropriate as a drug for the complex therapy of reflux inflammation in the stomach with reverse bile transfer, primary biliary cirrhosis in the compensatory state, hepatobiliary disorders in cystic fibrosis in childhood.

[1], [2]

Release form

Ursohol is encapsulated in 250 mg, with the active ingredient ursodeoxycholic acid.

Packing honeycomb contains 10 capsules. A pack of cardboard can include five or ten cellular packs with the drug.

Pharmacodynamics

The active ingredient Ursohol can be detected in insignificant amounts in the bile substance of a person.

With internal use of capsules, the cholesterol saturation of bile secretions decreases, by inhibiting the absorption of cholesterol by the intestine and reducing the release of cholesterol into the system of bile formation and excretion. Probably, as a result of the processes of dispersion and the formation of liquid crystalline forms, a slow dissolution of bile concretions is observed.

It is believed that the influence of Ursohol in hepatic and cholestatic diseases is associated with incomplete replacements of lipophilic toxic bile acids with hydrophilic non-toxic acids, as well as with the ease of secretion of hepatic cells and regulation of immune defense.

[3], [4]

Pharmacokinetics

After oral administration, the active ingredient Ursohol is briefly absorbed in the small intestine, in the ascending segment of the ileum through passive transport and in the terminal segment of the ileum through active transport.

The speed of absorption can be estimated at 60-80%.

After the completion of assimilation of bile acid passes almost absolute hepatic conjugation, with the participation of representatives of the amino acids taurine and glycine. The next stage the acid is excreted with a current of bile.

The indicative values of clearance for the initial passage in the liver can be about 60%.

[5], [6]

Dosing and administration

Ursohol appoints a doctor if there are appropriate indications. Dosage and duration of therapy depend primarily on the weight of the patient and on the characteristics of the disease.

• To get rid of bile cholesterol stones, the dosage is determined based on 10 mg Ursohol per kg body weight. The necessary number of capsules is swallowed in its entirety, every evening, before going to bed, regularly. Duration of admission can be from six months to a year. If, after 12 months of therapy, a positive effect of the dynamics is not detected, then the use of Ursohol is discontinued. The dynamics of treatment is important to monitor once every six months, using the technique of ultrasound diagnosis and radiography. At the same time, the probability of calcification of stones should be evaluated. If you can detect signs of calcification, the course of treatment is completed.
• When inflammation of the mucous tissues of the stomach with reflux of bile is enough to take 1 capsule of Ursohol at night, for 10-14 days. The therapy regimen can be adjusted to the discretion of the treating therapist.
• With the primary form of biliary cirrhosis, the daily volume of Ursohol should be 12-16 mg per kg of body weight. During the initial three months of therapy, Ursohol is taken three times a day. After stabilization of the patient's condition, they switch to a standard procedure - once a day, at night.

Capsules are swallowed whole, with liquid. Reception is conducted daily at the same time.

With the primary form of biliary cirrhosis, at first, there may be a worsening of clinical symptoms - for example, itching. With such signs, therapy is continued, limiting the intake of Ursohol once a day. After normalization of the patient's condition, the number of capsules gradually increases (weekly one capsule is added until the necessary therapeutic dosage is reached).

[11], [12]

Use of the ursochola during pregnancy

There are no reliable data on the influence of Ursohol on the course of pregnancy and on fetal development.

Experiments that were carried out on animals proved the teratogenic activity of Ursohol in the first months of pregnancy. For this reason, Ursohol should not be recommended for the treatment of pregnant and lactating women.

If treatment is prescribed to a woman of childbearing age, then she must take measures to prevent the development of pregnancy during therapy. Preferably use oral contraceptives non-hormonal composition.

Contraindications

Do not prescribe Ursohol in such diseases and conditions:

• when hypersensitivity to any substance from the composition of Ursohol;
• in the acute period of inflammatory diseases affecting the biliary system;
• with violation of patency of the bile ducts;
• with often diagnosed hepatic colic;
• in the presence of radiologically contrasting gallstones;
• with failures of the contractile capacity of the gallbladder;
• with unfavorable completion of portoenterostomy, or in the violation of outflow of bile in patients of pediatric age with biliary atresia.

[7], [8]

Side effects of the ursochola

Most often Ursohol treatment proceeds without any side effects. But individual patients may have unwanted symptoms, such as:

• diarrhea, or allocation of pasty stools;
• severe pain in the subcostal area on the right;
• calcification of gallstone concrements;
• the transition of compensated primary biliary cirrhosis to decompensated (with relative regression after the completion of the Ursohol therapy course);
• allergy (skin rashes).

[9], [10]

Overdose

The main, if not the only sign of an overdose of Ursohol is the appearance of diarrhea. Other symptoms are practically reduced to zero, as with the diarrhea impaired ursohol absorption, and most of the medication is excreted with fecal masses.

When diarrhea occurs, the dosage is reduced, or the medication is completely canceled.

If necessary, additional symptomatic medicines may be prescribed, as well as correction of the water balance in the body.

[13], [14]

Interactions with other drugs

It is not recommended to use Ursohol in conjunction with such drugs as Cholestyramine or Cholestipol, anti-acid medications, in which compounds are designated aluminum compounds. The above medicines envelop the constituent ingredients of Ursohol inside the intestines, which causes a deterioration in absorption and a decrease in the effect. If there is no way to avoid this combination, then it is permissible to sustain 180 minutes between the methods of the listed funds.

Ursohol can enhance the quality of absorption of Cyclosporine. Therefore, those individuals who are treated with Cyclosporine, you need to check the content of this medication in the bloodstream, and, if necessary, adjust it.

In some patients, Ursohol may slow the absorption of ciprofloxacin.

The combination of Ursohol and medications, the exchange of which takes place with the participation of cytochrome P450 3A4, should be carried out under constant supervision and control (often the dosage adjustment may be required).

[15], [16], [17], [18]

Storage conditions

Optimum preservation Ursohol, adhering to the temperature regime from +18 ° C to + 25 ° C.

Children should not have access to storage facilities for medicines.

Shelf life

Preserve Ursohol up to 2 years, with the observance of the basic rules for the storage of medications.

[19]