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. 2015 Apr:52:93-100.
doi: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2015.02.002. Epub 2015 Feb 26.

Medications as a source of paraben exposure

Laura E Dodge  1 , Katherine E Kelley  2 , Paige L Williams  3 , Michelle A Williams  1 , Sonia Hernández-Díaz  1 , Stacey A Missmer  4 , Russ Hauser  5
Affiliations

Medications as a source of paraben exposure

Laura E Dodge et al. Reprod Toxicol. 2015 Apr.

Abstract

Background: Parabens are used as antimicrobial excipients in some pharmaceuticals. Parabens may adversely affect reproduction.

Objectives: Determine whether paraben-containing medication contributes to high urinary paraben concentrations.

Methods: Individuals at a fertility clinic provided multiple urine samples during evaluation/treatment and reported 24-h use of medications and personal care products (PCP). Repeated measures models compared specific gravity-adjusted urinary methyl, propyl, and butyl paraben concentrations between samples "exposed" and "unexposed" to paraben-containing medication.

Results: Eleven participants contributed 12 exposed and 45 unexposed samples, among which paraben concentrations did not differ. Use within 7h was associated with 8.7-fold and 7.5-fold increases in mean methyl (P=0.11) and propyl (P=0.10) paraben concentrations, respectively, after adjusting for PCP use. However, these associations decreased to 1.3-fold (P=0.76) and 2.6-fold (P=0.34), respectively, after removal of one influential individual.

Conclusion: Paraben-containing medications contributed to higher urinary paraben concentrations within hours of use.

Keywords: Assisted Reproductive Technologies; Endocrine system; Parabens; Pharmaceuticals.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: The authors have no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow-chart of study population *The revised questionnaire was implemented in 2010 and included detailed questions regarding medication use
Figure 2
Figure 2
Median urinary paraben levels in exposed and unexposed samples
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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