Balaskas EV, Bamihas GI, Karamouzis M, Tourkantonis A
Odansetron; a novel therapeutic approach in the treatment of
uremic pruritus
XVIth Annual CAPD Conference
Perit Dial Int Suppl 2
(Feb) 16:S65 1996
The authors show that the anti-emetic agent ondansetron, which selectively
inhibits the action of
serotonin, is an effective treatment of uremic pruritus in CAPD patients.
The authors find that
48% of all their CAPD patients have pruritus and 11 with moderate to severe
symptoms were treated
with ondansetron 4 mg twice daily for a mean of three months. All patients
had resolution of their
pruritus by the end of two weeks of treatment, without side effects.
Comment: These are interesting findings with clinical implications.
Concerns would be
whether side effects might occur with longer term treatment or whether the
beneficial effects of the
drug might wear off. An additional problem is the high cost of this agent.
Nevertheless, this
could be a useful option for refractory pruritus in dialysis patients.
(Peter G. Blake, M.D.)
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XVIth Annual CAPD Conference
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