Ursonost

Ursodeoxycholic acid-based capsules Ursonost are used to treat hepatobiliary pathologies.

Indications Ursonosta

The lipotropic drug Ursonost can be prescribed:

• to soften bile stones of cholesterol etiology that are not determined by radiographic methods (provided that the function of bile secretion is preserved);
• for the treatment of reflux gastritis with bile reflux;
• to eliminate clinical signs of primary biliary cirrhosis in the compensation stage;
• for the treatment of hepatobiliary disorders in cystic fibrosis in childhood.

Release form

Ursonost is produced in capsule form, 150 and 300 mg. The capsule is dense, white, with fine-grained powder inside.

The blister contains 10 capsules. The cardboard box may contain two or five blisters.

The active ingredient of Ursonost is ursodeoxycholic acid.

Pharmacodynamics

The active ingredient Ursonost is an epimer of chenodeoxycholic acid, a bile acid found in small amounts in human bile.

Ursodeoxycholic acid is capable of dissolving cholesterol deposits, “neutralizing” the stone-forming bile.

A number of mechanisms of action of Ursonost are known:

• inhibition of cholesterol secretion into bile;
• increase in the total amount of bile acids;
• formation of a liquid crystalline phase with a higher level of cholesterol dissolution.

Taking Ursonost helps to reduce the level of cholesterol and salts in bile, accelerates the dissolution of cholesterol, which leads to easier bile flow.

One of the priority properties of Ursonost is considered to be the reduction of bile lithogenicity. The drug is practically non-toxic, does not lead to significant liver disorders, does not damage the mucous tissues of the digestive tract.

Pharmacokinetics

When administered orally, the active ingredient Ursonost is rapidly absorbed in the small intestine, in the upper ileum by passive passage, and in the terminal ileum by active passage.

The absorption rate is usually between 60 and 80%.

After the digestion reactions are complete, the bile acid undergoes almost complete hepatic conjugation, in the presence of the amino acids taurine and glycine. The acid is then excreted with bile.

Indicative liver first-pass clearance values may be approximately 60%.

Dosing and administration

Ursonost should be prescribed by a doctor. The dosage and duration of therapy depend mainly on the patient's weight and the characteristics of the disease.

• To eliminate gallstones, the dosage is determined at a rate of 10 mg Ursonost per kg of the patient's weight. The required number of capsules is swallowed whole, daily, before bedtime, regularly. The duration of treatment can be from six months to a year. If after 12 months of therapy, positive dynamics are not detected, then Ursonost is discontinued. It is important to monitor the dynamics of treatment once every six months, using ultrasound and radiography. At the same time, the risk of calcification of calculus formations should be assessed. If signs of calcification are detected, therapy is terminated.
• In case of inflammation of the gastric mucosa with reflux of bile, it is enough to drink 1 capsule of Ursonost at night for 10-14 days. The treatment regimen can be adjusted at the discretion of the attending physician.
• In primary biliary cirrhosis, the daily dose of Ursonost should be 12-16 mg per kg of the patient's weight. During the initial 3 months of therapy, Ursonost is taken three times a day. After the patient's liver function improves, they switch to the standard dose - once a day, at night.

The capsules are swallowed whole, with liquid. They are taken daily at the same time.

In the primary form of biliary cirrhosis, a worsening of clinical symptoms may initially be observed, such as itching. With such signs, therapy is continued, limiting the intake of Ursonost to once a day. After the patient's condition has normalized, the number of capsules is gradually increased (one capsule is added weekly until the required amount according to the treatment regimen is reached).

Use Ursonosta during pregnancy

At present, there is insufficient information regarding the possibility of treating pregnant patients with Ursonost. Previous studies on animals indicated the presence of teratogenic effects in the first half of pregnancy.

It is not advisable to use Ursonost during pregnancy without special indications. The doctor should decide on the possibility of using Ursonost in each specific case. However, given the lack of information about the drug, taking it during pregnancy and breastfeeding is still not recommended.

Contraindications

Medical professionals do not prescribe Ursonost for the following diseases and conditions:

• in case of hypersensitivity to any substance from the composition of Ursonost;
• in the acute period of inflammatory diseases affecting the biliary system;
• in case of obstruction of the bile ducts;
• for frequently diagnosed hepatic colic;
• in the presence of radiologically contrasting gallstones;
• with impaired contractile function of the gallbladder;
• in case of unfavorable completion of portoenterostomy, or in case of disturbance of bile flow in pediatric patients with biliary atresia.

Side effects Ursonosta

Side effects during treatment with Ursonost are uncommon, but both patients and healthcare professionals should be aware of them. The most common of these symptoms are:

• diarrhea, liquid and semi-liquid stools;
• pain (sometimes severe) in the area of the liver projection;
• processes of calcification of bile stones;
• transition of primary biliary cirrhosis to a temporary stage of decompensation, which relatively regresses after stopping taking Ursonost;
• allergic manifestations in the form of dermatitis and rashes.

Overdose

The main symptom of an overdose of Ursonost is the appearance of diarrhea. Other symptoms are practically impossible, since when diarrhea develops, the absorption of the drug stops, and the remains of Ursonost are excreted from the body with feces.

If the patient complains of diarrhea, the amount of Ursonost used is reduced. If the diarrhea does not stop after reducing the dosage, the drug is discontinued altogether.

No specific antidote therapy is used. Overdose symptoms are treated by correcting fluid and electrolyte levels.

It was established that long-term use of high doses of Ursonost (more than 28-30 mg/kg per day) in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis was accompanied by more pronounced signs of overdose.

Interactions with other drugs

Ursonost cannot be used in combination with such medications as Cholestyramine, Cholestipol, anti-acid drugs that contain oxy- and hydroxy-aluminum. The above-mentioned agents envelop the ingredients of Ursonost in the intestinal cavity, which causes difficulty in absorption and a decrease in the effect. If it is not possible to avoid this combination, then it is necessary to wait at least 180 minutes between the use of the listed medications.

Ursonost is able to increase the degree of absorption of Cyclosporine. Therefore, in patients undergoing a course of treatment with Cyclosporine, it is important to check the level of this drug in the blood and, if necessary, adjust it.

In some patients, Ursonost may interfere with the absorption of Ciprofloxacin.

The concomitant use of Ursonost and medications whose metabolism is mediated by cytochrome P450 3A4 should be monitored and assessed (sometimes dosage adjustment may be necessary).

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Storage conditions

Ursonost can be stored at room temperature, away from sunlight and dampness. It is important to limit children's access to the place where the medicine is stored.

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Shelf life

Ursonost can be stored for up to 5 years.