Drug-induced pruritus: a review.
Pruritus is an unpleasant sensation that leads to scratching. In addition to several diseases, the administration of drugs may induce pruritus. It is estimated that pruritus accounts for approximately 5% of all skin adverse reactions after drug intake. However, to date there has been no systematic review of the natural course and possible underlying mechanisms of drug-induced pruritus. For example, no clear distinction has been made between acute or chronic (lasting more than 6 weeks) forms of pruritus. This review presents a systematic categorization of the different forms of drug-induced pruritus, with special emphasis on a therapeutic approach to this side-effect.
Reich
Adam
A
Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, Wroc av Medical University, Ul. T. Chalubinskiego 1, Poland. adi_medicalis@go2.pl
Ständer
Sonja
S
Szepietowski
Jacek C
JC
D000208:Acute Disease; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003875:Drug Eruptions / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D011537:Pruritus / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology