The effects of prednisolone and niacin on chloroquine-induced pruritus in malaria.
Chloroquine chemotherapy of malaria fever induces severe generalised pruritus in a large proportion of black Africans. In a double blind, placebo controlled, randomised, parallel group study in 28 historically chloroquine pruritus-reactor (R+) patients, with malaria, we evaluated the prophylactic and the palliative antipruritic actions of prednisolone (5 mg) or niacin (50 mg). There was a significant prophylactic effect of both drugs on the pruritogenecity of chloroquine as well as significant reduction in the area under the pruritus intensity-time curve, AUC(0-72 h) by niacin. The salutary effect both of niacin and prednisolone on chloroquine pruritogenecity resulted neither, in the mitigation of malaria parasite clearance, nor in the clinical amelioration following antimalaria therapy.
Ajayi
A A
AA
Department of Medicine, Obafemi Awolowo university, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
Akinleye
A O
AO
Udoh
S J
SJ
Ajayi
O O
OO
Oyelese
O
O
Ijaware
C O
CO
D000328:Adult; D002738:Chloroquine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D009525:Niacin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011537:Pruritus / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors
D009525:Niacin; D002738:Chloroquine; D011239:Prednisolone