Medical expert of the article
New publications
Preparations
Ursuliv
Last reviewed: 10.08.2022
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Capsules Ursoliv refers to medicines that are prescribed for biliary pathologies - diseases of the liver and biliary system. Ursoliv belongs to the category of lipotropic drugs.
Indications of the ursoliva
Possible application Ursuliv:
- at roentgenologically negative cholesterol bile calculi that do not exceed 1.5 cm in diameter (with a functioning gallbladder);
- with bile reflux gastritis;
- with primary biliary cirrhosis in the compensation stage;
- with cholelithiasis in the background of cystic fibrosis in pediatrics (children 6-18 years).
Release form
Ursoliv is produced in capsular form. Capsules are dense, light (almost white, size 0), inside of which there are white powdery granules.
Capsules Ursoliv packed in a blister plate of 10 pieces. A cardboard box contains five blister plates.
Ursodeoxycholic acid acts as an active component.
Pharmacodynamics
The active ingredient of the drug Ursoliv can be present in the bile secretions of a healthy person - in an insignificant amount.
After ingestion of the capsule, Ursoliv reduces the concentration of cholesterol in the bile, worsening its absorption in the intestinal cavity and blocking the release of cholesterol in the biliary tract. Presumably, as a result of cholesterol dispersion and the formation of liquid crystal forms, slow softening of the bile concretions occurs.
Among pharmacists, it is generally believed that the success of Ursuliv in the hepatobiliary system is due to the partial substitution of lipophilic toxic bile acids with hydrophilic non-toxic acid, which is an active ingredient in Ursoliv. This leads to an acceleration of the excretory activity of the liver cells and the activation of immunoregulatory mechanisms.
Pharmacokinetics
After consuming the capsule Ursoliv active substance is well absorbed in the intestine by the way of active and passive transportation. The speed of assimilation is estimated at 60-80%.
After the absorption processes, there is an absolute conjugation of bile acid with a number of amino acids - in particular, with such as glycine and taurine. Excretion is carried out with the help of bile.
The clearance for I passage can be 60%.
Depending on the daily amount of Ursoliv and the degree of disorder of the hepatic function, the active ingredient accumulates in the bile secretions. Also, a relative decrease in the level of other, more lipophilic, acids is found.
Under the influence of microbial flora in the intestine there is an incomplete decomposition of the active ingredient. One of the degradation products is considered to be hepatotoxic and can lead to changes in the hepatic parenchyma, which has been confirmed by experiments on animals. People only digest a small amount of the toxic component, which is then completely inactivated in the liver.
The biological duration of half-life of the active ingredient Ursoliv can be 3.5-5.8 days.
Dosing and administration
Ursoliv can be prescribed at almost any age.
- To soften the bile cholesterol stones, about 10 mg of Ursoliv per kg of patient weight is prescribed:
- weight up to 60 kg - two capsules Ursoliv;
- weight from 60 to 80 kg - three capsules Ursoliv;
- weight from 80 to 100 kg - four capsules Ursoliv;
- weight exceeds 100 kg - five capsules Ursoliv.
Ursuliv capsules are taken daily at night, for 6-24 months. If the positive result of treatment is not found throughout the year, Ursuliv's treatment is stopped.
- For the treatment of bile reflux gastritis, one capsule of Ursoliv is prescribed daily for the night, for two weeks. If necessary, the doctor may conduct a second treatment.
- To eliminate signs of primary biliary cirrhosis, three to seven Ursoliv capsules are prescribed, depending on the weight of the patient (about 14 mg / kg body weight). During the initial three months of treatment, Ursoliv is taken throughout the day, dividing the dosage by three times. After the laboratory performance of the liver improves, you can go to the reception once a day at night. Capsules are swallowed without crushing or opening them. If during the course of therapy there is a skin itch, then the dosage is temporarily lowered, and proceed to a gradual increase in the amount of the drug.
- In pediatrics with cystic fibrosis, the dosage in children 6-18 years of age should be 20 mg per kg of body weight per day, divided into 2-3 doses. If necessary, the dosage can be increased to 30 mg per kg per day.
Use of the ursoliva during pregnancy
Experiments that were previously performed on animals did not demonstrate the influence of Ursuliv on the child's fertility. Nevertheless, such studies have not been conducted in humans.
Information on the possibility of using Ursoliv for the treatment of pregnant patients is extremely small. When studying the action of Ursoliv on animals, the reproductive toxicity of the drug was discovered at the initial stage of pregnancy. With this in mind, specialists can not recommend Ursoliv for use by pregnant patients. Moreover, before the start of treatment, all women of childbearing age should be excluded from pregnancy, and also resort to the use of reliable contraception (it is preferable to use non-hormonal contraceptives or funds with a minimum estrogen content).
Reception Ursuliv in the period of breastfeeding is allowed, as the medicine in insignificant amounts penetrates into the mother's milk and can not have any negative impact on the baby's body.
Contraindications
Ursuliv is not recommended:
- with a tendency to allergies to Ursuliv's composition;
- in the presence of acute inflammation in the system of biliary excretion;
- with impassable bile ducts;
- with regular hepatic colic;
- with radiocontrast calcifications in the gallbladder;
- with disturbed contractile function of the gallbladder;
- with a failed portoenterhistomy, or with a disturbed bile outflow with atresia in children.
Side effects of the ursoliva
The incidence of adverse symptoms is relatively low. It is rare to observe such undesirable symptoms:
- diarrhea or the yield of semiliquid stool;
- pain in the abdomen and in the projection of the liver.
Very rarely there were cases of calcification of gallstones, the transition of the existing cirrhosis of the liver to the decompensated stage (with partial restoration at the end of treatment).
[16]
Overdose
Probability of an overdose Ursuliv is insignificant, however it exists. Most often after taking excessive doses of Ursoliv, diarrhea is noted, due to which the active components of the drug are rapidly excreted to their body with a fecal mass.
When there is diarrhea, the amount of Ursoliv taken is reduced, and in case the diarrhea does not stop, the drug is canceled.
Do not take special measures for overdose. In some cases, the use of symptomatic drugs, as well as the reception of a large amount of fluid to counter the violation of water and electrolyte balance.
Interactions with other drugs
It is not desirable to take Ursoliv in combination with anti-acid agents, with preparations of Kolestyramin, Kolestipol, Smekta, Almagel, since such medications worsen the absorption of ursodeoxycholic acid in the intestinal cavity. If a combination of medications is inevitable, then between their use should withstand a gap of 120 minutes.
Ursoliv can affect the absorption of Ciclosporin in the intestinal cavity. With this combination, you should monitor the level of Cyclosporine in the blood and, if necessary, change the dosage.
In some patients, taking Ursoliv may impair the absorption of ciprofloxacin.
The combination of Ursoliv and Rosuvastatin may lead to an increase in the concentration of rosuvastatin in the serum.
It is known that Ursoliv lowers the limiting serum concentration of Nitrendipine in patients with normal liver and kidney function.
It is necessary to monitor the patient's condition while treating Ursoliv and Nifedipine. In some cases, you may need to increase the dosage of Nifedipine.
It is indicated that the therapeutic effect of Dapson in combination with Ursoliv is weakened.
Preparations based on estrogen, as well as means for normalizing the level of cholesterol in the bloodstream, can increase the release of cholesterol in the liver and increase the risk of formation of concrements in the system of bile formation.
Shelf life
Preserve Ursoliv for 2 years, limited to the date indicated on the package.
[26]
Attention!
To simplify the perception of information, this instruction for use of the drug "Ursuliv" translated and presented in a special form on the basis of the official instructions for medical use of the drug. Before use read the annotation that came directly to medicines.
Description provided for informational purposes and is not a guide to self-healing. The need for this drug, the purpose of the treatment regimen, methods and dose of the drug is determined solely by the attending physician. Self-medication is dangerous for your health.