Efectos del ácido ursodeoxicólico en pacientes con colestasis gravídica / Effects of ursodeoxycholic acid in patients with cholestasis of pregnancy

ABSTRACT

In an open, pilot study, the efficancy and safety of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) in the treatment of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy was investigated. four patients received 1 g/ñday of UDCA during 20 days and another 2 patients received identical periods of treatment separated by a 14-day interval free of drug. Pruritus and serum levels of toal bile salts and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase improved significantly during treatment with UDCA. Although pruritus and the laboratory alterations had a relapse in the second week after UDCA was discontinued, they improved again in the patients who received a second treatment with UDCA. No adverse reactions were detected in the mothers or in their babies. All neuborns are thriving normally, in a follow-up lasted 3 to 6 months after delivery. It is concluded that UDCA appears to be safe when administered in late pregnancy; its primising efficacy in the treatment of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy should now be confirmed in controlled clinical trials