Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0033774 (pruritus)
 14,546 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Patients with a history of recurrent candidiasis and who were using Depo-Provera (medroxyprogesterone acetate, DMPA) for contraception were reviewed in order to determine the time relationship between episodes of proven candidiasis, episodes of pruritus vulvae suggestive of this infection (but unproven), and injection of DMPA. Recently, patients were included in the study who had been given DMPA specifically to prevent recurrences of candidiasis even when the drug's contraceptive action was unnecessary, such as after sterilization. In all cases, the infection was initially treated with a vaginal candidacide, most commonly 1 week of an imidazole. The patients ranged in age from 19-37 years at the time of the 1st injection. Diabetes had been eliminated in all the cases. DMPA was given intramuscularly at a dose of 150 mg every 12 weeks. Prior to 1983, an estrogen supplement was prescribed in most cases in an effort to produce monthly menstrual periods. Estrogen supplementation is no longer used routinely, with amenorrhea the aim, although it is occasionally given to women who experience breakthrough bleeding. Candidal infection was considered proven when the branching filaments of the species were seen on a stained vaginal smear or when the species were cultured in a laboratory from a vaginal swab taken a symptomatic patient. With the exception of 2 patients, clinical candidiasis did not occur within the time in which 150 mg of intramuscular DMPA is known to suppress ovulation in all women, i.e., 12 weeks -- except in the presence of exogenous estrogen (cases 1, 2, and 14) and in one case (15) in which the patient had an unplanned conception prior to the injection. Both patients who experienced clinical despite the use of DMPA alone (cases 8 and 13) asked remain on the drug because believe it was responsible for their longest remissions in the past few years. The study seemed to provide evidence that DMPA will prevent a recurrence of clinical candidiasis in many women who are prone to this condition. The study further indicated that estrogens may predispose women to this infection.
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PMID:Depo-Provera in the treatment of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis. 294 26

The US Food and Drug Administration finally approved the injectable contraceptive Depo-Provera (DMPA) in October 1992, 25 years after its introduction. Women return to a health facility every 90 days for an intramuscular injection of 150 mg DMPA, which provides them 99% effective contraception. Menstrual changes and spotting are the leading reasons for DMPA discontinuation. Eventually, more than 50% of DMPA users develop amenorrhea. During the first year, women gain about 2 kg and weight increases as time passes. Weight gain is the second leading reason for DMPA discontinuation. DMPA may adversely affect glucose tolerance in women at risk for diabetes, but it does not affect cardiovascular or metabolic functions. It may increase the risk of osteoporosis. A rare side effect is convulsions. 1-10% of DMPA users have other central nervous system effects, such as headaches, dizziness, and depression. Itching and rashes may develop. Fertility returns within 1 year after discontinuation. DMPA is linked to low birth weight. It apparently does not harm breast-fed infants or hinder lactation. A World Health Organization study shows that DMPA users less than 35 years old experience a slight increase in breast cancer but a reduced incidence of endometrial cancer. Nurses are instrumental in guiding women as they choose DMPA and in informing them about its potential side effects, including breast cancer risk. They must screen women for pregnancy and evaluate their risk of breast cancer. They must determine whether women are able to return every 3 months for DMPA injections. Women who select DMPA must use other contraception, e.g., barrier protection, within the first 24 hours after initial injection. Nurses should counsel them about the likely menstrual changes to reduce the likelihood of dissatisfaction. They should recommend a daily dose of 1200 mg of elemental calcium and daily exercise of long bones to minimize the risk of developing osteoporosis.
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PMID:Depo-Provera. 849 47