Cholestasis of pregnancy usually resolves quickly after delivery, and often
doesn't require meds except for briefly after delivery.  The meds this mom
is taking are sedating anti-histamines.  While they often help control
itching (and often don't help, actually) the usual treatment for cholestasis
is cholestyramine (brand name here Questran)  This med binds bile acids, but
is not absorbed from the GI tract, so has no sedation associated with it.
Side effects are mostly GI.  Mom might ask about this med instead.  It's
other use is to treat high cholesterol.  (Which once led to a very heated
argument with a pharmacist for me, as he kept insisting I should not be
trying to lower a pregnant woman's cholesterol, and I kept trying to explain
about cholestasis.  He eventually dispensed the med to the patient, but
covered it with stickers that said not to be taken during pregnancy!)
Cholestasis is a truly miserable condition for mom.  I have met women who
scratched until they bled, even scratching during their sleep, so some
treatment is usually necessary.

Jennifer Tieman
Family Physician
Mom to 3, and new baby #4 expected 5/31/03 (although today would be good!)

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