Ulthera

Ultera is an antiulcer drug used for gastroesophageal reflux. Ultera is a proton pump inhibitor. It has a second name - pantoprazole (active drug).

Used by patients with severe liver dysfunction, as liver enzyme levels may change their readings. Ultera does not affect kidney function.

Indications Ulthera

The drug Ultera is prescribed for peptic ulcer of the stomach, as well as for ulcer of the duodenum. Gastroesophageal reflux disease is also treated with the drug Ultera.

It is successfully used in the treatment of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and stress ulcers.

Ultera is prescribed as part of a combination anti-Helicobacter eradication therapy in those patients who have ulcers and need to reduce the frequency of relapses in their body.

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Release form

The form of Ultera that is available for sale is tablets. The medicine is covered with an enteric film that is yellow or orange. The pills are round, biconvex. Each tablet has a cross-section - the core (white or cream). In some cases, the presence of marbling is acceptable.

Available in the following forms: seven pieces in two blisters and in a cardboard box.

Also ten pieces in strips and cardboard packs and fourteen pieces in a strip.

Pharmacodynamics

Ulter's pharmacodynamics are as follows: the active substance suppresses the action of hydrochloric acid in the stomach by specifically affecting the proton pump of the parietal cells. Pantoprazole is converted into an active form in an acidic environment, which is most concentrated in the parietal cells of the stomach - that is, it is converted into hydrochloric acid. Suppression depends on the dose and can affect the stimulated appearance of gastric juice secretions (an effect in which secretions are not produced for 24 hours). Pantoprazole reduces the level of acid in the stomach and removes gastrin from the body.

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Pharmacokinetics

The substance pantoprazole is completely absorbed after administration. When analyzed in blood plasma, the drug level reaches one mcg/ml. It takes two hours to reach this level. This level does not increase even after prolonged administration of the drug.

The bioavailability of the drug as enteric-coated tablets is 75–80%. Plasma protein binding reaches almost 100%.

Pharmacokinetics Ultera carries the main metabolites through the kidneys. About 80% is excreted in the urine. The remaining twenty are excreted in the stool.

However, it should be taken into account that parietal cells do not correlate with pantoprazole.

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Dosing and administration

Ultera is taken orally. The tablet is not chewed or divided, it must be swallowed whole and washed down with plenty of water. The time of administration does not depend on the time of food intake.

In case of ulcer disease – the dose should not exceed forty milligrams per day.
For elderly people – no more than twenty milligrams per day.

In cases of duodenal ulcer, the course of treatment is two weeks, gastroesophaltic reflux – four weeks.

The course of treatment with the drug may be increased, depending on the individual characteristics of the disease.

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Use Ulthera during pregnancy

The use of Ulter during pregnancy is strictly prohibited. There are currently no studies that confirm the absence of negative effects on the fetus during pregnancy.

Also during lactation and for those who are breastfeeding, it is not recommended to take the drug. In extreme cases, it is necessary to either stop taking the drug or stop breastfeeding until the full course is completed.

Contraindications

Ulter is strictly contraindicated for dyspepsia of neurotic genesis. Contraindications to the use of Ulter extend to malignant diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Pregnant women and those who are in the lactation period are also prohibited from taking the drug.

In case of severe renal failure, the use of Ulter should be limited or prohibited, since the metabolites will not be able to be eliminated from the body.

It is also contraindicated to use Ultera for those who have hypersensitivity to one of the components of the drug.

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Side effects Ulthera

Various clinical studies have shown that the use of Ultera may lead to the following side effects:

• Digestive system – local pain in the epigastric region, prolonged diarrhea, possible constipation, flatulence, prolonged nausea, possible increased activity of liver enzymes.
• Central nervous system - headaches or migraines, some visual disturbances (blurring), drowsiness or insomnia are possible, in extreme cases with prolonged use - bouts of depression. Therefore, it is not recommended for use by those who spend a lot of time driving.
• Allergy - skin rashes that may itch, in rare cases anaphylactic shock is possible.
• Rare cases: myalgia, edema, fever, elevated triglyceride levels.
  

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Overdose

Conducted clinical studies have not found cases of overdose with Ultera. But in cases of increased side effects, it is necessary to carry out treatment that affects the elimination of symptoms. It should be taken into account that dialysis will be ineffective.

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Interactions with other drugs

During clinical studies to identify negative interactions and subsequent elimination of effects, no negative or positive effects from the interaction of Ultera with other drugs were identified.

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Storage conditions

Storage conditions for the medicinal product Ultera should include a dry place that is protected from direct sunlight and various light sources. The temperature at which the product should be stored should not exceed room temperature - 25 °C.

The location you choose for storage should be securely protected from children and pets.

Special instructions

Analogues

At the moment, the pharmaceutical market offers the following analogues of Ultera, which coincide in medicinal purpose and active substance: Nolpaza, Proxium, Pulzet, Sanpraz, Panum, Zipantola, Peptazol.

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Shelf life

The shelf life of the drug Ultera is two years from the date of manufacture. If the storage conditions are violated, this period is significantly reduced. It is strongly recommended not to use the drug for treatment after the expiration date. When removing the tablets from their factory environment (blisters), the shelf life of the drug is reduced. Before each use, you should check the date of manufacture, using an expired drug can be dangerous to your health.

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