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Updated: May 29, 2026
04:59
Cheek Injection Model for Simultaneous Measurement of Pain and Itch-related Behaviors
Published on: September 27, 2019
Low-dose naltrexone for pruritus in systemic sclerosis.
Tracy Frech1, Kirsten Novak, Monica P Revelo
1Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA.
International Journal of Rheumatology
|September 16, 2011
Summary
Low-dose naltrexone (LDN) shows promise for treating itching and gastrointestinal issues in systemic sclerosis (SSc). This study suggests LDN is a safe and affordable option for SSc patients experiencing these challenging symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Immunodermatology
- Gastroenterology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease characterized by fibrosis and vasculopathy affecting multiple organs, including skin, lungs, and the gastrointestinal tract (GIT).
- Pruritus (itching) is a prevalent and often debilitating symptom in SSc, with limited effective treatment options.
- Pilot studies in other GIT diseases indicated potential benefits of low-dose naltrexone hydrochloride (LDN) for pruritus, pain, and quality of life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of low-dose naltrexone hydrochloride (LDN) in managing pruritus and gastrointestinal (GIT) symptoms in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).
Main Methods:
- A case series involving three SSc patients with significant pruritus and GIT symptoms.
- Treatment administered was low-dose naltrexone hydrochloride (LDN).
- Symptom assessment utilized the 10-point faces scale and the University of California Los Angeles Scleroderma Clinical Trials Consortium Gastrointestinal Tract 2.0 (UCLA SCTC GIT 2.0) questionnaire.
Main Results:
- All three patients reported significant improvement in pruritus.
- Patients also experienced notable amelioration of overall gastrointestinal (GIT) symptoms.
- Low-dose naltrexone hydrochloride (LDN) was found to be highly tolerable and inexpensive.
Conclusions:
- Low-dose naltrexone hydrochloride (LDN) may represent an effective, safe, and cost-efficient therapeutic option for managing pruritus and GIT symptoms in systemic sclerosis (SSc).
- Further investigation in larger trials is warranted to confirm these preliminary findings.
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