title: Safety and efficacy of rifampicin in children with cholestatic pruritus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study aimed at verifying the safety and efficacy of rifampicin in ameliorating pruritus in cholestatic children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-three Egyptian children (14 boys and 9 girls), suffering from intractable pruritus of cholestasis, were included. Rifampicin was started at a dose of 10 mg/Kg/day in two divided doses and increased gradually to a maximum of 20 mg/Kg/day if there was no response. Liver function tests were followed up weekly.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventeen patients (74%) showed improvement of pruritus with rifampicin. None of the patients showed any deterioration in liver functions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Rifampicin in a dose of 10-20 mg/Kg/day is safe and effective in ameliorating uncontrollable pruritus in children with persistent cholestasis.
authors.affiliation: Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt. hanaakaraksy@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Hanaa
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: El-Karaksy
authors.forename: Samah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mansour
authors.forename: Rokaya
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: El-Sayed
authors.forename: Mona
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: El-Raziky
authors.forename: Nehal
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: El-Koofy
authors.forename: Gamal
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Taha
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002779:Cholestasis / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011537:Pruritus / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D012293:Rifampin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D012293:Rifampin