title: [Therapy of pruritus associated with skin diseases with the serotonin receptor antagonist ondansetron].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pruritus is often a stressing symptom and a therapeutic challenge. We report our experience with the serotonin receptor antagonist ondansetron in the symptomatic treatment of pruritus accompanying various skin diseases.
  
  
  METHODS
  The influence of ondansetron (8-12 mg orally per day) on pruritus was assessed in twelve patients with various skin disorders. The intensity of pruritus was quantitated daily by a visual analogue scale over the time period of one week before, during, and one week after treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ondansetron decreased pruritus intensity in prurigo simplex (four patients), asteatotic eczema (two patients), parapsoriasis en plaques, and pruritus of unknown origin (one patient each). One of two patients with atopic dermatitis experienced relief, whereas no benefit was observed in urticaria factitia and notalgia paraesthetica (one patient each).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ondansetron may ameliorate the concomitant pruritus of some dermatologic diseases.
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Dermatologie und Allergologie, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München.
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zenker
authors.forename: Theda
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Schuh
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Degitz
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000982:Antipruritics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000150:complications; D004485:Eczema / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017294:Ondansetron / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010267:Parapsoriasis / Q000150:complications; D011537:Pruritus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014581:Urticaria / Q000150:complications
chemical_list: D000982:Antipruritics; D017294:Ondansetron