Open AccessAre we still scratching the surface? A case of intractable pruritus following systemic opioid analgesia
Author(s) -
Dana Tarcatu,
Cristina Tamasdan,
Natalie Moryl,
Eugenie A.M.T. Obbens
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of opioid management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.331
H-Index - 39
eISSN - 2375-0146
pISSN - 1551-7489
DOI - 10.5055/jom.2007.0055
Subject(s) - hydromorphone , medicine , itching , scratching , oxycodone , opioid , anesthesia , fentanyl , morphine , systemic administration , (+) naloxone , dermatology , physics , receptor , microbiology and biotechnology , in vivo , acoustics , biology
This article describes a case of severe opioid-induced pruritus following systemic morphine administration. Symptoms did not resolve after administration of antihistamines or rotation to fentanyl or hydromorphone, but oral oxycodone and small-dose intravenous naloxone did alleviate the patient’s itching. The pathogenesis of opioidinduced pruritus and the rationale for opioid rotation are briefly discussed. Current and possible future therapeutic options are mentioned.