title: Successfully treated intractable pruritus with rifampin in a case of benign recurrent intrahepatic cholestasis.
abstract: A 56-year-old gentleman with benign recurrent intrahepatic cholestasis (BRIC) suffered from recurrent episodes of pruritus for over 40 years. The treatment prescribed, namely cholestyramine, was minimally effective. However, rifampin 150 mg b.i.d promptly and completely relieved his severe pruritus. The diagnosis of BRIC, being a rare condition, may go unrecognized. The severity of the lifelong episodes of intermittent cholestasis with pruritus in BRIC may be extremely distressing to the affected patient. Administration of rifampin during the acute episode of severe pruritus led to a marked improvement in his quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Toronto Western Hospital (University Health Network/University of Toronto), 399 Bathurst St., Toronto, ON, M5T2S8, Canada.
authors.forename: Teru
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kumagi
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Toronto Western Hospital (University Health Network/University of Toronto), 399 Bathurst St., Toronto, ON, M5T2S8, Canada. jenny.heathcote@utoronto.ca.
authors.forename: E Jenny
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Heathcote
keywords: Benign recurrent intrahepatic cholestasis (BRIC); Pruritus; Rifampin