Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 22, 2026
04:59
Cheek Injection Model for Simultaneous Measurement of Pain and Itch-related Behaviors
Published on: September 27, 2019
Drug-induced pruritus: a review
Adam Reich1, Sonja Ständer, Jacek C Szepietowski
1Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, Wroc av Medical University, Ul. T. Chalubinskiego 1, Poland. adi_medicalis@go2.pl
Acta Dermato-Venereologica
|May 30, 2009
Summary
Drug-induced pruritus, a common skin reaction, lacks systematic review. This study categorizes its forms and discusses therapeutic approaches for this scratching side-effect.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Pharmacology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Pruritus, or itching, is an unpleasant sensation often leading to scratching.
- Drug administration is a known cause of pruritus, accounting for approximately 5% of all drug-related skin adverse reactions.
- Existing literature lacks a systematic review on the natural course and mechanisms of drug-induced pruritus, with no clear distinction between acute and chronic forms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically categorize the different forms of drug-induced pruritus.
- To provide an overview of the natural course and underlying mechanisms of drug-induced pruritus.
- To emphasize a therapeutic approach for managing drug-induced pruritus as a side-effect.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review and categorization of existing literature on drug-induced pruritus.
- Analysis of the natural course (acute vs. chronic) and potential mechanisms.
- Identification and discussion of therapeutic strategies.
Main Results:
- Drug-induced pruritus is a significant adverse reaction, often underreported.
- Distinction between acute (≤6 weeks) and chronic (>6 weeks) pruritus is crucial for management.
- Various drug classes can trigger pruritus through diverse mechanisms.
Conclusions:
- A systematic categorization of drug-induced pruritus is presented.
- Understanding the natural course and mechanisms is essential for effective treatment.
- This review highlights the importance of a targeted therapeutic approach to manage drug-induced pruritus.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Drug Toxicity: Allergic Reactions
Drug-related allergies are immune-mediated responses triggered by the administration of pharmacological agents. These hypersensitivity reactions are classified based on the immune mechanisms involved. The four primary types—Type I, II, III, and IV—are mediated by different immunological pathways and exhibit distinct clinical manifestations.Type I Hypersensitivity/ IgE-Mediated Reactions: Immunoglobulin E (IgE) immediately mediates Type I hypersensitivity reactions. Upon initial exposure to a...
01:28Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists
Neurokinin 1 (NK1) receptors are distributed across the GI tract, vagal afferents, and key CNS regions including the central vomiting center and chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ) Chemotherapy agents stimulate enterochromaffin cells in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract to release large amounts of substance P (SP). SP is a neuropeptide released by specific sensory nerves in response to many different stressors, including those in the GI mucosa affected by chemotherapy. SP binds and activates these...
01:25Analgesia and Pain Management
Pain is critical to various clinical pathologies, provoking an urgent need for effective management. Pain, whether acute or chronic, is a complex neurochemical process. Its alleviation depends on the type, with nonopioid analgesics effective for mild to moderate pain, such as musculoskeletal or inflammatory pain, while neuropathic pain responds best to anticonvulsants, tricyclic antidepressants, or serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. For severe acute or chronic pain, opioids may be...