A RANDOMIZED PLACEBO-CONTROLLED TRIAL OF URSODEOXYCHOLIC ACID AND S-ADENOSYLMETHIONINE IN THE TREATMENT OF INTRAHEPATIC CHOLESTASIS OF PREGNANCY

A randomised placebo controlled study was performed in 32 women with i ntrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. The population was divided into four groups: for 20 days each group was treated only with ursodeoxycho lic acid, or S-adenosylmethionine, or a combination of both drugs, or a placebo (vitamin). Itching, standard liver function tests and serum total bile acids were measured before, during, and after treatment. It ching improved in all the women as well as the biochemical abnormaliti es. No side-effects in the mother or in the infant were recorded durin g and after therapy. A combination of ursodeoxycholic acid and S-adeno sylmethionine is more effective than placebo and than either drug alon e.