CLINICAL TRIAL
JOURNAL ARTICLE
RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL
RESEARCH SUPPORT, NON-U.S. GOV'T
Add like
Add dislike
Add to saved papers

Naltrexone does not relieve uremic pruritus: results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study.

Improvement of uremic pruritus was reported under short-term administration of the mu-receptor antagonists naltrexone and naloxone. The aim of the present study was to confirm the efficacy and safety of the oral mu-receptor antagonist naltrexone during a 4-wk treatment period in patients on hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. A placebo-controlled, double-blind crossover study of uremic patients with persistent, treatment-resistant pruritus was performed. Of 422 patients screened between December 1997 and June 1998, 93 suffered from pruritus and 23 were eligible for the study. Patients were started either with a 4-wk naltrexone sequence (50 mg/d) or matched placebo. This was followed by a 7-d washout, and patients continued with a 4-wk sequence of the alternate medication. Pruritus intensity was scored daily by a visual analogue scale (VAS) and weekly by a detailed score assessing scratching activity, distribution of pruritus, and frequency of pruritus-related sleep disturbance. Sixteen of 23 patients completed the study. During the naltrexone period, pruritus decreased by 29.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 18.7 to 39.6) on the VAS and by 17.6% (95% CI, 4.2 to 31.1) on the detailed score. In comparison, pruritus decreased by 16.9% (95% CI, 6.8 to 26.9) on the VAS and by 22.3% (95% CI, 9.3 to 35.2) on the detailed score during the placebo period. The difference between the naltrexone and the placebo treatment period was not statistically significant. Nine of 23 patients complained of gastrointestinal disturbances during the naltrexone period compared with only one of 23 patients during the placebo period (P < 0.05). These results show that treatment of uremic pruritus with naltrexone is ineffective. In addition, a high incidence of adverse effects was observed during treatment with naltrexone.

Full text links

We have located links that may give you full text access.
Can't access the paper?
Try logging in through your university/institutional subscription. For a smoother one-click institutional access experience, please use our mobile app.

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

Mobile app image

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Your Privacy Choices Toggle icon

You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app