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Ursolive
Last reviewed: 03.07.2025
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Ursoliv capsules are medications prescribed for biliary pathologies – diseases of the liver and biliary system. Ursoliv belongs to the category of lipotropic agents.
Indications Ursoliva
Ursoliv can be used:
- in case of radiologically negative cholesterol gallstones that do not exceed 1.5 cm in diameter (with a functioning gallbladder);
- for bile reflux gastritis;
- in primary biliary cirrhosis in the compensation stage;
- for biliary and hepatic disorders against the background of cystic fibrosis in pediatrics (children 6-18 years old).
Release form
Ursoliv is produced in capsule form. The capsules are dense, light (almost white, size 0), inside which there are white powder granules.
Ursoliv capsules are packed in a blister plate of 10 pieces. A cardboard box contains five blister plates.
The active ingredient is ursodeoxycholic acid.
Pharmacodynamics
The active ingredient of the medicine Ursoliv may be present in the bile secretions of a healthy person – in small quantities.
After taking the capsule internally, Ursoliv reduces the concentration of cholesterol in bile, impairing its absorption in the intestinal cavity and blocking the release of cholesterol in the bile ducts. Presumably, as a result of cholesterol dispersion and the formation of liquid crystalline forms, a slow softening of bile stones occurs.
It is generally accepted among pharmacists that the success of Ursoliv in treating hepatobiliary diseases is due to the partial replacement of lipophilic toxic bile acids with a hydrophilic non-toxic acid, which is the active ingredient of Ursoliv. This leads to an acceleration of the excretory activity of liver cells and activation of immune regulation mechanisms.
Pharmacokinetics
After taking the Ursoliv capsule, the active substance is well absorbed in the intestines by means of active and passive transport. The absorption rate is estimated at 60-80%.
After the absorption processes, absolute conjugation of bile acid with a number of amino acids occurs, in particular with glycine and taurine. Excretion occurs via bile.
The clearance indicators during the first pass can be 60%.
Depending on the daily amount of Ursoliv and the degree of liver dysfunction, the active ingredient accumulates in bile secretions. A relative decrease in the level of other, more lipophilic, acids is also detected.
Under the influence of microbial flora in the intestine, incomplete degradation of the active ingredient is observed. One of the degradation products is considered hepatotoxic and can lead to changes in the liver parenchyma, which has been confirmed by animal experiments. In humans, only a small amount of the toxic component is absorbed, which is then completely inactivated in the liver.
The biological 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 gallstones of cholesterol origin, about 10 mg of Ursoliv per kg of the patient's weight is prescribed:
- weight up to 60 kg – two capsules of Ursoliv;
- weight from 60 to 80 kg – three capsules of Ursoliv;
- weight from 80 to 100 kg – four capsules of Ursoliv;
- weight exceeds 100 kg – five capsules of Ursoliv.
Ursoliv capsules are taken daily at night for 6-24 months. If a positive treatment result is not detected within a year, then Ursoliv is discontinued.
- For the treatment of bile reflux gastritis, one capsule of Ursoliv is prescribed daily at night for two weeks. If necessary, the doctor can conduct repeated treatment.
- To eliminate the signs of primary biliary cirrhosis, three to seven capsules of Ursoliv are prescribed, depending on the patient's weight (about 14 mg / kg of weight). During the initial three months of treatment, Ursoliv is taken throughout the day, dividing the dosage into three times. After laboratory indicators of liver function improve, you can switch to taking it once a day at night. The capsules are swallowed without crushing or opening them. If skin itching occurs during the course of therapy, the dosage is temporarily reduced, and they proceed to a gradual increase in the amount of the drug.
- In pediatrics for cystic fibrosis, the dosage for children aged 6-18 years 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.
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Use Ursoliva during pregnancy
Experiments previously conducted on animals have not demonstrated the effect of Ursoliv on the body's reproductive ability. However, similar studies have not been conducted in humans.
There is very little information about the possibility of using Ursoliv to treat pregnant patients. When studying the effect of Ursoliv on animals, reproductive toxicity of the drug was discovered at the initial stage of pregnancy. Given this, specialists cannot recommend Ursoliv for use by pregnant patients. Moreover, before starting treatment, all women of childbearing age should exclude pregnancy and resort to using reliable contraception (it is preferable to use non-hormonal contraceptives or products with a minimum content of estrogens).
Taking Ursoliv during breastfeeding is allowed, since the medication penetrates into breast milk in negligible quantities and cannot have any negative effect on the child’s body.
Contraindications
The use of Ursoliv is not recommended:
- if you are prone to allergies to the composition of Ursoliv;
- in the presence of acute inflammation in the biliary system;
- with obstructed bile ducts;
- for regular hepatic colic;
- in case of radiopaque calcifications in the gallbladder;
- with impaired contractile function of the gallbladder;
- in case of failed portoenterostomy, or in case of impaired bile outflow in atresia in children.
Side effects Ursoliva
The incidence of side effects is relatively low. Rarely, the following undesirable symptoms may be observed:
- diarrhea or passage of semi-liquid feces;
- pain in the abdominal area and in the liver projection area.
Cases of calcification of gallstones and transition of existing liver cirrhosis to a decompensated stage (with partial recovery at the end of treatment) were observed extremely rarely.
Overdose
The probability of an overdose of Ursoliv is insignificant, but it exists. Most often, after taking excessive doses of Ursoliv, diarrhea is observed, due to which the active components of the drug are quickly excreted from the body with feces.
If diarrhea occurs, the amount of Ursoliv taken is reduced, and if the diarrhea does not stop, the drug is discontinued.
No special measures are taken in case of overdose. In some cases, symptomatic agents may be used, as well as large amounts of fluid intake to counteract water-electrolyte imbalance.
Interactions with other drugs
It is not advisable to take Ursoliv in combination with antacids, with the drugs Colestyramine, Colestipol, Smecta, Almagel, since such medications impair the absorption of ursodeoxycholic acid in the intestinal cavity. If combined use of drugs is unavoidable, then an interval of 120 minutes should be maintained between their use.
Ursoliv may affect the absorption of Cyclosporine in the intestinal cavity. With such a combination, the level of Cyclosporine in the blood should be monitored and, if necessary, the dosage should be changed.
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.
Ursoliv is known to reduce the maximum serum concentration of Nitrendipine in patients with normal liver and kidney function.
The patient's condition should be monitored during simultaneous treatment with Ursoliv and Nifedipine. In some cases, it may be necessary to increase the dosage of Nifedipine.
A weakening of the therapeutic effect of Dapsone in combination with Ursoliv is indicated.
Estrogen-based drugs, as well as agents for normalizing cholesterol levels in the bloodstream, can increase the secretion of cholesterol in the liver and increase the risk of the formation of stones in the biliary system.
Storage conditions
It is recommended to store Ursoliv in packaged form, out of reach of children, at temperatures ranging from +18 to +25°C.
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Shelf life
Ursoliv is stored for 2 years, limited to the date indicated on the packaging.
Attention!
To simplify the perception of information, this instruction for use of the drug "Ursolive" 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.