title: [Hepatic pruritus].
abstract: Pruritus is a key symptom of hepatic disease. In severe cases, this symptom ruins the patient's quality of life. Most likely it is caused by a protein-bound bile acid (metabolite) that stimulates opioid receptors in the brain. Symptomatic treatments that can reduce pruritus in selected patients include opioid receptor antagonists, biliary diversion, cholestyramine, ursodeoxycholic acid, rifampicin and phenobarbitone. Plasmapheresis or albumin dialysis may be useful when other treatment fails.
authors.affiliation: Medicinsk Hepato-gastroenterologisk Afdeling V, Arhus Sygehus, Arhus Universitetshospital, DK-8000 Arhus C. peott@as.aaa.dk.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ott
authors.forename: Hendrik
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Vilstrup
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D011537:Pruritus / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology