"Holudexan": instructions for use, reviews, analogues

What is the use of the drug Holudexan? Instructions for the use of the drug will be presented in our review. Also, from the materials of this article, you will learn about the form in which the agent under consideration is released, what is included in its composition, what contraindications it has, whether it has side effects and so on.

Form of release of the medicinal product, its packaging and composition

If you decide to buy the tablets "Holudexan", then you will not succeed. After all, this drug is only available in the form of capsules. They are in contour cells, which, in turn, are placed in a cardboard box. One package contains 20 capsules.

The drug "Holudexan" contains in itself such an active element as ursodeoxycholic acid (in the volume of 300 mg).

Pharmacological characteristics of the drug

What is the drug Holudexan? Instruction for use says that this is a hepatoprotective agent. It is able to have cholelitholytic, immunomodulating, lipid-lowering, choleretic and hypocholesterolemic effects.

Possessing rather high polar properties, the active component of the capsules forms mixed micelles (non-toxic) with toxic (apolar) bile acids. It is this fact that reduces the likelihood of the development of reflux esophagitis and biliary reflux gastritis, during which cell membranes are damaged.

It should also be noted that ursodeoxycholic acid is capable of forming double molecules, which are subsequently incorporated into cell membranes (eg, cholangiocytes, hepatocytes and epitheliocytes of the digestive tract), stabilize them and render them immune to the effects of cytotoxic micelles.

Lowering the concentration of bile acids, toxic to the hepatic cell, and stimulating choleresis, which is rich in bicarbonates, the active element of the drug contributes to the elimination of intrahepatic cholestasis.

One can not help saying that the drug "Holudexan" can reduce the saturation of bile with cholesterol. This effect arises as a result of suppression of absorption of the active substance in the intestine, as well as a decrease in secretion in bile and suppression of synthesis in the liver.

After taking the drug inside, it accelerates the breakdown of cholesterol in the bile, thereby forming with it crystals (liquid). It should also be noted that this drug is able to lower the lithogenic bile index.

After treatment with the drug "Holudexan" the patient dissolves cholesterol stones. It also prevents the formation of new stones.

Pharmacokinetics of the drug

Where does the absorption of the drug Holudexan occur? Instructions for the use of capsules contain information that their active ingredient is absorbed in the thin (90%) and ileum (10%).

The maximum concentration of the active element in the blood (in a volume of 50 mg) is reached after approximately 1.2-3 hours.

This medication penetrates the placental barrier. He has a very high connection with proteins (up to 97-99%).

Metabolized drug in the liver. The drug is withdrawn together with bile.

Indications for use of the medicine

In what cases is shown the use of the drug "Holudexan", the feedback on which will be presented a little further? According to the instructions, this drug is prescribed for the following abnormalities:

• Reflux-esophagitis, including biliary;
• Sclerosing cholangitis (primary);
• Cholelithiasis (not complicated type);
• Dyskinesia of bile ducts ;
• Hepatitis chronic active;
• Atresia of the biliary tract (intrahepatic), as well as atresia of the bile duct congenital;
• Toxic liver damage, including after taking medications;
• Cystic fibrosis;
• Liver disease alcoholic;
• Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis;
• Cirrhosis of the liver is biliary (primary).

Contraindications to the use of the medicine

At what pathologies in any case it is impossible to take the drug "Holudexan"? Instruction, reviews of experts say that this medication has a large number of contraindications:

• Children's age (up to three years);
• Gallstones X-ray positive (with a high content of calcium);
• Empyema of the gallbladder ;
• Dysfunction of the gallbladder;
• Gastro-biliary fistula;
• Hepatic or renal failure (severe);
• Acute cholecystitis;
• Infectious diseases (often acute) of the bile duct, intestine and gallbladder;
• Obturation of the bile ducts;
• Cholangitis acute;
• Cirrhosis of the liver (especially in the stage of decompensation);
• Hypersensitivity to the drug.

Careful medication

In what cases should you apply with particular caution the drug "Holudexan"? The doctors say that its active component has no age limits. However, with special care capsules are given to children aged 3.5-4 years, as there is a possibility of their difficulty in swallowing.

Medication "Holudexan": instructions for use

The medicament considered by us is taken only inwards with food.

With such a deviation, like reflux gastritis, including biliary, the drug is prescribed once a day at bedtime. The course of therapy can be from 10-16 days to 6 months (if necessary, up to 2 years). If the patient has diffuse liver disease, then the dose is increased to 3 capsules per day.

In chronic liver pathologies, as well as cholelithiasis, medication is taken continuously for a long time (months or even years) in a volume of 2 to 5 capsules per day. The duration of the stone dissolution agent is 3 months.

For the prevention of recurrent cholelithiasis (especially after cholecystectomy), the drug is prescribed one capsule twice a day for several months.

With liver damage (toxic, alcoholic and medicinal), as well as with atresia of the biliary tract, medication should be taken in the amount of 3-5 capsules per day for six months or more. The same dosage is maintained even with primary biliary cirrhosis, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis.

Adverse events

What are the side effects of the drug Holudexan? Instructions for use, reviews of the medication say that after using it, patients may experience back pain, diarrhea, exacerbation of psoriasis, nausea, constipation, vomiting, increased activity of hepatic transaminases (transient), alopecia and calcification of stones (bile).

If these abnormalities occur, stop taking the medication immediately and consult a doctor.

Interaction with other medicines

Antacids, which contain ion exchange resins and aluminum, can reduce the absorption of the drug. Lipid-lowering drugs increase the saturation of bile with cholesterol, which can subsequently reduce the ability of the drug to dissolve bile calculi.

One can not help saying that the drug under consideration enhances the therapeutic effect of hypoglycemic drugs intended for oral administration.

Period of gestation and lactation

Women of childbearing age during the use of a medication are recommended to use non-hormonal contraceptives.

The use of ursodeoxycholic acid during fetal gestation is possible only if the expected benefit for a woman exceeds the potential risk for the baby.

Currently, there is no information on the isolation of ursodeoxycholic acid with mother's milk. If it is necessary to take this particular drug during lactation, then the question of stopping breastfeeding of the baby should be considered.

Special instructions for the use of the medicinal product

When taking medication to dissolve stones, the following conditions should be observed: concrements must be X-ray negative (cholesterol). The size of the stones should not exceed 1.5-2 centimeters. Thus the gallbladder should function well and be filled with concrements no more than ½ part. In addition, it is very important that the patency of the common gallbladder and bladder duct is preserved.

With prolonged therapy (more than one month) every 4 weeks, the patient must carry out a biochemical blood test. This is required in order to determine the activity of hepatic transaminases.

It is recommended to monitor the effectiveness of therapy every 6 months. For this, it is necessary to use X-ray and ultrasound.

After dissolution of the stones, the patient should take the drug for another 3 months.

If, after six months after the start of treatment, partial dissolution of stones did not occur, it is unlikely that further therapy will be effective.

The drug "Holudexan": analogues and cost

Currently, the drug "Holudexan" can be purchased at a pharmacy for 550-600 Russian rubles (20 capsules). If you take into account that the drug has to be taken for a long time, it is easy to understand that treatment is very expensive. Unfortunately, you will not be able to replace the drug with cheaper analogues. This is due to the fact that other hepatoprotectors have a relatively high cost.

But what should you do if you could not get the "Holudexan" medication? Analogs of this drug can be found in any pharmacy. Among them, the following can be identified: Ursodex, Ursoprim, Livedoksa, Ursoron Romparm, Urdoksa, Ursoror S, Ursosan, Ursolit, Ursodez, Exhol, Ursofalk "," Ursoliv "and so on.

Reviews about the drug

What do they say about the drug Holudexan? Reviews about this medication say that this is one of the best hepatoprotectors. Patients claim that after taking the drug, the symptoms of the disease go away very quickly, which makes the person feel much better.

With cirrhosis of the liver, this medicine in a short time helps to improve the quality of life of the patient and gives hope for the long-awaited recovery.

Experts argue that after taking the drug (at the end of the first week of treatment), symptoms completely disappear in patients, such as heartburn, nausea, and epigastric pain. The testimonies of people who have experienced the effect of the medicine under consideration confirm this information. However, doctors do not recommend completing therapy immediately after the onset of relief of the patient's condition. After all, to consolidate the result it is extremely important to take the drug for several more months.