Efficacy of oral naltrexone on pruritus in atopic eczema: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
OBJECTIVE
The intent of our study was to determine the efficacy of oral naltrexone, an opioid antagonist, in the treatment of pruritus in patients with chronic eczema.


METHODS
This double-blind, placebo-controlled study recruited 38 patients with eczema complaining from pruritus. Pruritus scores were evaluated. Patients were given placebo (n = 20) or naltrexone 50 mg (n = 18) for 2 weeks period. During the study, pruritus scores based on visual analogue scale system (VAS) were assessed three times: at the start of study, after 1 week, and after 2 weeks.


RESULTS
In both groups, decreased VAS scores were observed, but naltrexone showed to be significantly more effective than placebo in decreasing VAS score after 1 week (P < 0.005) and 2 weeks (P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Naltrexone is more effective than placebo in the treatment of pruritus in patient with eczema. Naltrexone might be considered as an adjunct treatment in the treatment of pruritus. However, further studies in this aspect are highly fostered.
Malekzad
F
F
Skin Research Center, Shohada e Tajrish Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Arbabi
M
M
Mohtasham
N
N
Toosi
P
P
Jaberian
M
M
Mohajer
M
M
Mohammadi
M R
MR
Roodsari
M R
MR
Nasiri
S
S
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000150:complications*; D004244:Dizziness / Q000139:chemically induced; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009271:Naltrexone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011537:Pruritus / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D009271:Naltrexone