Ursonorm 250 mg capsules, hard – Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) for healthcare professionals

1 NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Ursonorm 250 mg capsules, hard

2 QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION

Each hard capsule contains 250 mg of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) as the active ingredient.

For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.

3 PHARMACEUTICAL FORM

Capsule, hard.

White, hard gelatine capsules (size 0) containing white or almost white powder.

4 CLINICAL PARTICULARS

4.1 Therapeutic indications

For dissolution of cholesterol gallstones of the gall bladder. The gallstones must not produce any shadows on the radiograph and should not be of a greater diameter than 15 mm, and the gall bladder, despite the gallstone(s), must be functioning.

For treatment of gall reflux gastritis.

For symptomatic treatment of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), as long as there is no decompensated cirrhosis of the liver.

Paediatric population

For treatment of hepatobiliary disorders associated with cystic fibrosis in children aged 6 to 18 years

4.2 Posology and method of administration

There are no age restrictions on the use of Ursonorm. Ursonorm is suitable for patients with body weight of 47 kg and over.

The following daily dosage is recommended for the various indications. For the dissolution of cholesterol gallstones

Approx. 10 mg of ursodeoxycholic acid per kg of body weight corresponding to

The hard capsules should be taken unchewed in the evening before bedtime with some liquid.

The capsules have to be taken regularly.

The time required for dissolution of gallstones is likely to range from 6 to 24 months. In case there is no reduction in gallstones after 12 months, the therapy should not be continued.

The success of treatment should be checked sonographically or radiographically every 6 months. It should also be observed during follow-up examinations whether in the meantime there has been any calcification of the stones. If this is the case, the treatment should be ended.

For treatment of gall reflux gastritis

Take 1 hard capsule of Ursonorm once per day in the evening, before bedtime, unchewed with some liquid.

For treatment of gall reflux gastritis Ursonorm should generally be taken for 10 to 14 days. Generally, the duration of administration conforms to the course of disease. The attending doctor decides in detail throughout the duration of administration.

For symptomatic treatment of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) The daily dose depends on the body weight, and ranges from 3 to 7 hard capsules (14 ± 2 mg of ursodeoxycholic acid per kg of body weight). For the first 3 months of treatment Ursonorm should be taken divided over the day. With improvement of the liver values, the daily dose may be taken once daily in the evening.

The hard capsules should be swallowed unchewed with some liquid. Care should be taken to ensure that they are taken regularly.

The use of Ursonorm in PBC may be continued indefinitely. It is possible that at the beginning of treatment in patients with primary biliary cholangitis the clinical symptoms worsen, e.g. an aggravation of itching occurs. If this is the case, the therapy is to be continued with 1 hard capsule of Ursonorm per day and the therapy gradually (increase in the daily dose by 1 hard capsule per week) carried on, until the dose planned in the respective dosage plan is reached again.

Paediatric population

Children with cystic fibrosis aged 6 to 18 years

20 mg/kg/day in 2–3 divided doses, with a further increase to 30 mg/kg/day if necessary.

4.3 Contraindications

Ursonorm should not be used in patients with

• Acute inflammation of the gall bladder and the biliary tract.
• Occlusion of the biliary tract (occlusion of the common bile duct or a cystic duct).
• Frequent episodes of biliary colic.
• Radio-opaque calcified gallstones.
• Impaired contractility of the gall bladder.

• Hypersensitivity to bile acids or to any of the excipients listed in section

  6.1.

Paediatric population

• Unsuccessful portoenterostomy or without recovery of good bile flow in children with biliary atresia.

4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use

Ursonorm should be taken under medical supervision.

During the first three months of treatment, liver function parameters AST (SGOT), ALT (SGPT) and γ-GT should be monitored by the physician every 4 weeks, thereafter every 3 months. Apart from allowing for identification of responders and non-responders in patients being treated for primary biliary cholangitis, this monitoring would also enable early detection of potential hepatic deterioration, particularly in patients with advanced stage primary biliary cholangitis.

When used for dissolution of cholesterol gallstones

In order to assess therapeutic progress and for timely detection of any calcification of the gallstones, depending on stone size, the gall bladder should be visualised (oral cholecystography) with overview and occlusion views in standing and supine positions (ultrasound control) 6–10 months after the beginning of treatment.

If the gall bladder cannot be visualised on X-ray images, or in cases of calcified gallstones, impaired contractility of the gall bladder or frequent episodes of biliary colic, Ursonorm should not be used.

Female patients taking Ursonorm for dissolution of gallstones should use an effective non-hormonal method of contraception, since hormonal contraceptives may increase biliary lithiasis (see sections 4.5 and 4.6).

When used for treatment of advanced stage of primary biliary cholangitis In very rare cases decompensation of hepatic cirrhosis has been observed, which partially regressed after the treatment was discontinued. In patients with PBC, in rare cases the clinical symptoms may worsen at the beginning of treatment, e.g. the itching may increase. In this case the dose of Ursonorm should be reduced to one Ursonorm 250 mg capsule daily and then gradually increased again as described in section 4.2.

If diarrhoea occurs, the dose must be reduced and in cases of persistent diarrhoea, the therapy should be discontinued.

4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

Ursonorm should not be administered concomitantly with cholestyramine, colestipol or antacids containing aluminium hydroxide and/or smectite (aluminium oxide), because these preparations bind ursodeoxycholic acid in the intestine and thereby inhibit its absorption and efficacy. Should the use of a preparation containing one of these active substances be necessary, it must be taken at least 2 hours before or after Ursonorm.

In isolated cases Ursonorm can reduce the absorption of ciprofloxacin. In a clinical study in healthy volunteers, concomitant use of UDCA (500 mg/day) and rosuvastatin (20 mg/day) resulted in slightly elevated plasma levels of rosuvastatin. The clinical relevance of this interaction also with regard to other statins is unknown.

Ursodeoxycholic acid has been shown to reduce the plasma peak concentrations (C_max) and the area under the curve (AUC) of the calcium antagonist nitrendipine in healthy volunteers. Close monitoring of the outcome of concurrent use of nitrendipine and ursodeoxycholic acid is recommended. An increase of the dose of nitrendipine may be necessary. An interaction with a reduction of the therapeutic effect of dapsone was also reported.

These observations together with in vitro findings could indicate a potential for ursodeoxycholic acid to induce cytochrome P450 3A enzymes. Induction has, however, not been observed in a well-designed interaction study with budesonide, which is a known cytochrome P450 3A substrate.

Oestrogenic hormones and blood cholesterol lowering agents such as clofibrate increase hepatic cholesterol secretion and may therefore encourage biliary lithiasis, which is a counter-effect to ursodeoxycholic acid used for dissolution of gallstones.

4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy

There are no or limited amounts of data from the use of UDCA in pregnant women. Studies in animals have shown reproductive toxicity during the early phase of gestation (see section 5.3). Ursonorm must not be used during pregnancy unless clearly necessary.

Women of childbearing potential should be treated only if they use reliable contraception: non-hormonal or low-oestrogen oral contraceptive measures are recommended. However, in patients taking Ursonorm for dissolution of gallstones, effective non-hormonal contraception should be used, since hormonal oral contraceptives may increase biliary lithiasis. The possibility of a pregnancy must be excluded before beginning treatment.

Breastfeeding

According to few documented cases of breastfeeding women milk levels of ursodeoxycholic acid are very low and probably no adverse reactions are to be expected in breastfed infants.

Fertility

Animal studies did not show an influence of UDCA on fertility (see section 5.3). Human data on fertility effects following treatment with UDCA are not available.

4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines

Ursodeoxycholic acid has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines.

4.8 Undesirable effects

Adverse reactions observed in clinical trials and during treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid are listed in the table below, categorized by MedDRA system organ class and frequency. Frequencies are defined as follows: Very common (≥ 1/10), Common (≥ 1/100 to < 1/10), Uncommon (≥ 1/1,000 to < 1/100), Rare (≥ 1/10,000 to < 1/1,000), Very rare (< 1/10,000) or Not known (cannot be estimated from available data).

¹ Observed during therapy of the advanced stages of PBC and which partially regressed after the treatment was discontinued.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the national reporting system Yellow Card Scheme:

Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

4.9 Overdose

Diarrhoea may occur in cases of overdose. In general, other symptoms of overdose are unlikely because the absorption of ursodeoxycholic acid decreases with increasing dose and therefore more is excreted with the faeces. No specific counter-measures are necessary and the consequences of diarrhoea should be treated symptomatically with restoration of fluid and electrolyte balance.

Additional information on special populations

Long-term, high-dose UDCA therapy (28–30 mg/kg/day) in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (off-label use) was associated with higher rates of serious adverse events.

5 PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties

Pharmacotherapeutic group: bile and liver therapy; bile acid preparations, ATC code: A05AA02 and A05B.

Ursodeoxycholic acid is found in small amounts in human gall. Upon oral administration, it induces a decline in cholesterol saturation of the gall bladder through blocking of cholesterol resorption in the intestine and decline in cholesterol secretion to the gall. A gradual decomposition of cholesterol gallstones is presumably achieved through dispersion of cholesterol and forming of liquid crystals.

The effect of ursodeoxycholic acid in liver and cholestatic diseases is, according to current knowledge, based on relative exchange of lipophilic, detergent-type, toxic bile acids for hydrophilic, cytoprotective, non-toxic ursodeoxycholic acid, improvement of the secretory performance of liver cells and immunoregulative processes.

Paediatric population

Cystic fibrosis

From clinical reports long-term experience up to 10 years and more is available with UDCA treatment in paediatric patients suffering from cystic fibrosis associated hepatobiliary disorders (CFAHD). There is evidence that treatment with UDCA can decrease bile duct proliferation, halt progression of histological damage and even reverse hepatobiliary changes if given at early stage of CFAHD. Treatment with UDCA should be started as soon as the diagnosis of CFAHD is made in order to optimise treatment effectiveness.

5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties

Orally administered ursodeoxycholic acid is resorbed fast in the jejunum and upper ileum through passive, and in terminal ileum active transport. The resorption rate generally amounts to 60–80%. Upon resorption the bile acid conjugates almost completely with the glycine and taurine amino acids in the liver and then biliary excretion follows. The first-pass-clearance through liver amounts up to 60%.

Depending on the daily dose and the underlying disease or the liver condition, the more hydrophilic ursodeoxycholic acid accumulates in the gall. Concurrently, a relative reduction of the other, more lipophilic bile acids takes place.

In the intestine, a partial bacterial degradation to 7-keto-lithocholic acid and lithocholic acid takes place. The lithocholic acid is liver-toxic and induces liver parenchymal damage in a range of animal species. In humans, it is resorbed only to a very minor extent. This fraction is sulphated by the liver and thus detoxicated and then, again, biliary and subsequently faecal excretions follow.

The biological half-life of ursodeoxycholic acid is around 3.5 to 5.8 days.

5.3 Preclinical safety data

Acute toxicity

Studies conducted on animals concerning acute toxicity did not indicate any toxic damage.

Chronic toxicity

Subchronic toxicity studies in monkeys showed hepatotoxic effects in the groups given high doses, including functional changes (e.g. liver enzyme changes) and morphological changes such as bile duct proliferation, portal inflammatory foci and hepatocellular necrosis. These toxic effects are most likely attributable to lithocholic acid, a metabolite of ursodeoxycholic acid, which in monkeys – unlike humans – is not detoxified.

Clinical experience confirms that the described hepatotoxic effects are of no apparent relevance in humans.

Carcinogenic and mutagenic potential

Long-term studies in mice and rats revealed no evidence of ursodeoxycholic acid having carcinogenic potential.

In vitro and in vivo genetic toxicology tests with ursodeoxycholic acid were negative.

Toxicity to reproduction

In studies in rats, tail malformations occurred after a dose of 2,000 mg of ursodeoxycholic acid per kg of body weight. In rabbits, no teratogenic effects were found, although there were embryotoxic effects (from a dose of 100 mg per kg of body weight). Ursodeoxycholic acid had no effect on fertility in rats and did not affect peri-/postnatal development of the offspring.

6 PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS

6.1 List of excipients

Maize starch

Maize starch, pregelatinised

Silica, colloidal anhydrous (E551)

Magnesium stearate (E470b)

Gelatin (E441)

Titanium dioxide (E171)

6.2 Incompatibilities

Not applicable.

6.3 Shelf life

4 years.

6.4 Special precautions for storage

This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions.

6.5 Nature and contents of container

PVC-PVDC/Al blister in a cardboard box.

Pack size: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 90 or 100 capsules. Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

6.6 Special precautions for disposal

No special requirements.

7 MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

PRO.MED.CS Praha a.s.

Telčská 377/1

Michle, 140 00 Praha 4

Czech Republic

8 MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)

PL 37039/0004

9 DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE

AUTHORISATION

Date of first authorisation: 31/01/2018

Date of latest renewal: 19/05/2022

10 DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

14/03/2026