Conclusions: Naltrexone can be considered as an alternative option to treat pruritus of cholestasis
This study describes a wide range in naltrexone prescribing practices for cholestatic pruritus, with typical dosing ranging from 1 to 2 mg/kg/dose once or
Antipruritics / therapeutic use*
Aim: To determine the efficacy and potential complications of oral naltrexone used in the treatment of pruritus in cholestatic patients and to compare
METHODS Sixteen patients with pruritus of chronic cholestasis were randomized to receive naltrexone (4-week course of 50 mg naltrexone daily) or placebo
Pruritus is a frequent symptom that accompanies several liver diseases, particularly cholestatic ones
Trial and failure of a preferred agent greater than or equal to a 14 day supply in the last 12 months will be required before approval can be given for a non-preferred agent
Cholestasis / complications* Cholestasis / drug therapy
BICX104 is a biodegradable, long-acting subcutaneous pellet of naltrexone for the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD) being developed with the goal of improving
For oral dosage form (tablets): For alcoholism: Adults—50 milligrams (mg) once a day
itching
Naltrexone Is a Substance Use Treatment
It works by blocking activity in the limbic system, a part of the brain
Three observations, however, do not tend to support the fact that these substances cause pruritus in cholestasis
Get naltrexone for as low as $23
1 Severity of pruritus can range from mild, intermittent itching to debilitating symptoms that can severely affect quality
Ursodeoxycholic acid is effective for the treatment of pruritus associated with intrahepatic cholestasis in pregnancy
Patients were then randomized to receive 50 mg/day of naltrexone
Bottom Line
The drug comes as an oral tablet
A 2014 meta-analysis of 22 RCTs and one cohort study (N = 22,803) evaluated relapse rates in patients who received acamprosate or naltrexone, alone or in combination, for at least 12 weeks
• Normally, withdrawal comes on gradually as opioids slowly lose their effect