"Ursofalk" for children: instructions for use

When a doctor finds a liver disease or a problem with the biliary tract, he prescribes one of the hepatoprotective drugs, which include Ursofalk. Many are interested in such questions as: whether such medicine is used in childhood, for which pathologies, what doses are prescribed to children, and whether this medicine is harmless to the child’s body.

The drug is manufactured by a German company and is represented by three dosage forms.

1. Suspension. It is white in color, of a uniform structure and smells of lemon. One glass bottle holds 250 ml of suspension and is completed with a measuring cup of 5 ml.
2. Tablets in a film cover. They have a convex oblong shape and white color. One pack contains 25 tablets.
3. Capsules This "Ursofalka" has a dense white gelatin shell, inside of which is a white powder. In one pack sell 10, 50 or 100 capsules.

The main component of the drug, due to which it has a therapeutic effect, is called ursodeoxycholic acid. The amount of such acid in 5 ml of suspension and in 1 capsule is 250 mg, and in one tablet - 500 mg. Additionally, in liquid “Ursofalk” there is sodium cyclamate, lemon flavor, xylitol, sodium chloride, glycerol and other ingredients. Auxiliary components of the capsules are gelatin, sodium lauryl sulfate, corn starch and other substances.

In addition to the active substance, talc, polysorbate 80, MCC, hypromellose and other compounds are present in the tablets.

"Ursofalk" is a group of hepatoprotectors, as this medicine has a positive effect on the liver and biliary tract. It has such properties as:

• protect hepatocytes from harmful effects;
• stimulate the formation and release of bile;
• inhibit the synthesis of cholesterol in the liver cells, as well as reduce its absorption in the intestine (the result will be a decrease in the level of cholesterol in the blood);
• increase the solubility of cholesterol in the biliary tract, thereby dissolving cholesterol stones;
• reduce the lithogenicity of bile (tendency to the appearance of stones);
• increase in bile concentration of bile acids;
• enhance the secretion of enzymes in the stomach and pancreas;
• increase lipase activity;
• reduce the saturation of bile with cholesterol;
• activate immune responses in liver cells.

Studies have also confirmed the positive effect of the drug in patients with cystic fibrosis. With the defeat of the hepatobiliary system after the courses "Ursofalk" damage appeared less frequently, and if treatment was started at the early stages, then the reverse development of changes was observed.

"Ursofalk" is prescribed for the following diseases:

• biliary dyskinesia;
• gastroduodenitis;
• cholangitis;
• detection of gallstones;
• chronic hepatitis;
• reflux gastritis;
• primary biliary cirrhosis;
• cystic fibrosis.

For the use of ursodeoxycholic acid there are no age restrictions.

At the same time, the solid forms of "Ursofalk" are not used for up to 3 years, which is due to the difficulty of swallowing tablets and capsules.Instructions to the drug recommends giving the medicine in suspension to children weighing less than 47 kg.

"Ursofalk" should not be given for the following symptoms:

• the child has an increased sensitivity to any of the ingredients of the medication;
• stones in the biliary tract are X-ray positive, that is, they have a large amount of calcium;
• the gallbladder does not function in a child;
• diagnosed with acute inflammation of the biliary tract or intestines;
• the patient has cirrhosis, which has passed into the stage of decompensation;
• there are problems with the contractility of the gallbladder;
• bile ducts blocked;
• the child often has biliary colic;
• revealed a serious pathology of the kidneys;
• the patient developed severe liver failure.

Some patients during treatment with Ursofalk receive loose stools, hives or abdominal pain. If you find such side effects on the further use of the drug should consult with a specialist.

Suspension is given to children from a cup, and to patients with a weight less than 20 kg, for example, to a month-old child - from a syringe without a needle. Tablets and capsules should be swallowed without chewing and chewing. If the drug is prescribed to a child over 3 years old, but he has difficulty swallowing a solid form, proceed to receive the suspension.

The regimen is prescribed by the doctor depending on the disease. Often, the medicine must be drunk once a night, but sometimes it is given 2-3 times a day, with an increase in dosage in the evening. And also there are schemes when the first months of the drug is taken three times, and then go on a single use. Diet at the time of admission does not affect the drug can be given before meals and after feeding.

The dosage of “Ursofalk” depends on the reason for using the medicine. For example, if it is prescribed to dissolve gallstones, then for each kilogram of the patient’s body weight, 10 mg of the active ingredient of the preparation is required. The same dosage is used for biliary dyskinesia. For cystic fibrosis or cholangitis, the medicine is prescribed in a dose of 12 to 15 mg / kg, for hepatitis, from 10 to 15 mg / kg. If the doctor sees the need, the dosage may increase to 20–30 mg / kg.

If the medication was prescribed for cholesterol stones, it should be drunk from 6 months to 2 years. For reflux gastritis, courses of 10 days are used, for hepatitis, for 6–12 months, and for cystic fibrosis, the medication is given for several years. The effectiveness of treatment is monitored using functional liver tests, radiography or ultrasound.

If you exceed the dose of "Ursofalk", the child will have liquid feces, as the excess of ursodeoxycholic acid will be excreted through the intestines. In such a situation, it is necessary to prevent dehydration by restoring the balance of electrolytes and fluids. Specific treatment of overdose does not require medication.

“Ursofalk” is not recommended to be combined with smectite preparations, antacids, cyclosporine, colestiramine, ciprofloxacin and some other drugs noted in the annotation.

To purchase any of the forms of "Ursofalk" at the pharmacy, you must first consult with your doctor, as these drugs are sold by prescription. One bottle of suspension costs an average of 1,200 rubles, and the price of 10 capsules is 200–220 rubles.

The preparation should lie in a place hidden from children, where the temperature will not exceed 25 degrees Celsius. Shelf life of the suspension and tablets is 4 years, capsules - 5 years.

About the treatment of children "Ursofalk" speak mostly well. Most often for the child choose a suspension, which is praised for ease of use, pleasant taste and ease of dosing. The disadvantages of drugs usually include its high cost. Moreover, in some cases, the effect of the use of the drug was insufficient, and sometimes the medication provokes allergies or loose stools.

A substitute for "Ursofalka" can be one of the drugs with the same active compound as:

1. «Ursosan»;
2. Ursodez;
3. Urdox;
4. Exhol;
5. "Livodeksa";
6. Ursoliv;
7. Choludexan.

Such drugs are available in the Czech Republic, Egypt, Russia and India. Most of these drugs are capsules containing 250, 300 or 500 mg of ursodeoxycholic acid each. Only “Livodeksa” and “Exhol” are produced in tablets, and there are no analogues of the suspension “Ursofalk”.

In addition, depending on the pathology, the doctor may prescribe other hepatoprotectors or choleretic drugs, for example, “Holosas” syrup, granules or tablets “Flamin", pills "Allohol"Or solution"Hofitol", Which is given even to an infant in drops. The effect of such funds is provided by different substances. In addition, they have their own age limits and contraindications, so the choice of the analogue of Ursofalk should be made by a doctor.