Open AccessAntipruritic effect of Neurotropin injection on moisturizer‐ and antihistamine‐resistant itch in patients with pruritus: A multicenter, open‐label, small sample study
Author(s) -
Kaneko Sakae,
Kohno Kunie,
Honda Sakae,
Tohgi Kimiko,
Niihara Hiroyuki,
Chinuki Yuko,
Nakagawa Yusei,
Mihara Yuko,
Ota Masataka,
Shiwaku Kuninori,
Morita Eishin
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of cutaneous immunology and allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.127
H-Index - 1
ISSN - 2574-4593
DOI - 10.1002/cia2.12021
Subject(s) - medicine , moisturizer , antipruritic , antihistamine , visual analogue scale , quality of life (healthcare) , dermatology life quality index , adverse effect , dermatology , dry skin , anesthesia , psoriasis , chemistry , food science , nursing
Pruritus is a condition in which itch occurs in the absence of apparent skin lesions. It is sometimes unresponsive to treatment with topical moisturizers and often is unresponsive to antihistamines. We evaluated the antipruritic effects of Neurotropin injections in patients with moisturizer‐ and antihistamine‐resistant pruritus. We monitored these patients by itch scores recorded in symptom diaries, as well as reports of quality of life ( QOL ). This study investigated both the efficacy and safety of Neurotropin injections using an open‐label study design. We enrolled 40 patients from six participating study sites. Of the 40 patients that were initially enrolled, six patients were ineligible, and ultimately, 33 were included for evaluation after one patient dropped out. Neurotropin was administered by subcutaneous injection to 22 patients and intravenous injection to 11 patients at a frequency of once per week. Compared to data collected during a one‐week observation period prior to treatment, after seven injections of Neurotropin, there was a significant improvement in the Shiratori symptom severity score and the visual analog scale ( VAS ) scores for itch symptoms, and the Dermatology Life Quality Index ( DLQI ) for quality of life. No new adverse events occurred during the period of investigation. A notable benefit to Neurotropin is that it can be used in patients with renal impairment and patients receiving dialysis therapy. Our results demonstrated that Neurotropin is effective in the treatment of moisturizer‐ and antihistamine‐resistant pruritus.