Treatment of cholestatic hepatitis with phenobarbital
Tăpălagă, D.; Fodor, O.; Nicoară, A.
Medecine Interne 16(2): 169-174
1978
ISSN/ISBN: 0377-1202 PMID: 663533 Document Number: 133774
In 20 cases of cholestatic hepatitis in man, treatment with phenobarbital for 10 days led to general improvement, a lessening of pruritus and an improvement in the nervous state without any side effects. These improvements are reflected in a reduction of the serum bilirubin level, improved bile flow, conjugated bilirubin and in the BSP (bromsulfophthalein) content of the bile. The treatment is based on the modern concept that cholestasis arises from an enzyme deficiency in the endoplasmic reticulum, and on the previous good results obtained with phenobarbital in the Crigler-Najjar syndrome.