[Pruritus during treatment with an estrogen-gestagen combination].
METHODS
A 51 year old female patient complained about marked pruritus of the whole integument. Since seven years she had been taking a two phase combination of estrogens and gestagen because of climacteric symptoms. 24 years ago severe pruritus occurred especially at the hands during the last trimenon of her first pregnancy whereas 7 years later during the subsequent pregnancy pruritus was absent. Physical examination revealed multiple excoriations over the whole body. No other relevant pathological findings were noted.


METHODS
Laboratory findings, chest X-ray and abdominal sonography were normal.


METHODS
Neither oral administration of an antihistaminic drug nor topical application of betamethasone improved the situation to a relevant extent. For 12 months the occurrence of pruritus had not been referred to hormonal treatment by the physicians in charge. Complete cessation of pruritus was seen within a few days after the patient had stopped hormonal medication on her own.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients should be asked for pregnancy associated pruritus or jaundice before receiving drug combinations with estrogens and gestagens. In case of a positive history, the physician should inform them about possible side effects such as pruritus and icterus.
Siepmann
M
M
Institut für Klinische Pharmakologie, Medizinische Fakultät, Technische Universität Dresden.
Kirch
W
W
D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D004964:Estriol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004966:Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016912:Levonorgestrel / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D045167:Progesterone Congeners / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D011537:Pruritus / Q000139:chemically induced*; D013997:Time Factors
D004966:Estrogens, Conjugated (USP); D045167:Progesterone Congeners; D004958:Estradiol; D016912:Levonorgestrel; D004964:Estriol