Ursodeoxycholic acid is a choleretic and hepatoprotective agent. Produced in the form of capsules, it is included as an active ingredient in many choleretic drugs.
Pharmacological properties
By origin, the remedy is a bile acid derivative. It has, in addition to protective and choleretic effects, immunomodulatory properties, helps reduce the formation of cholesterol in the blood and gallstones. The drug helps stabilize liver cells, gives them greater resistance when exposed to an aggressive environment. Ursodeoxycholic acid normalizes the activity of lymphocytes, eliminates the expression of antigens on the hepatic ducts and cells. Experts speak positively about the drug as a drug that reduces liver fibrosis in fatty alcohol degeneration, cystic fibrosis, primary biliarycirrhosis. Absorption of the drug occurs in the small intestine, and the maximum concentration in the blood is reached three hours after ingestion.
Indications for use of "Ursodeoxycholic acid"
Preparations "Ursodex", "Ursoliv", "Urso", "Ursofalk", "Ursosan", in which the substance is the active ingredient, are prescribed for the complex therapy of cholelithiasis, in cases where the pathology is caused by high cholesterol, and removal through endoscopy or surgery is not possible.
Stones are pre-crushed if their size exceeds 2 cm. Ursodeoxycholic acid is used in chronic forms of active hepatitis occurring with bile stasis, in cystic fibrosis liver damage, in primary biliary cirrhosis or reflux esophagitis, acute hepatitis. Reviews say that the remedy helps with cholecystopathy and biliary dyskinesia. In addition, the medication is prescribed to prevent bile stasis while taking cytostatics, contraceptives.
Ursodeoxycholic acid: instructions, price
The medicine can be used at any age, even newborns. The dosage is set by the doctor individually for each patient, depending on the weight and severity of the manifestations of the disease. The average volume of the drug is 10 mg per kg. Consume once in the evening.
Once every three months during treatment, it is necessary to check the levelhepatic enzymes. When removing gallstones, the liver and bile ducts are examined every six months. The cost of the drug is 400 rubles.
Contraindications and side effects
It is forbidden to use the remedy for acute inflammation of the gallbladder and excretory tracts (cholangitis, cholecystitis). Appointments are not made for cirrhosis of the liver, kidney dysfunction, ulcerative nonspecific colitis, individual intolerance. Ursodeoxycholic acid may temporarily increase liver enzyme levels. In rare cases, the drug causes diarrhea, calcification of gallstones, skin allergic manifestations.
