TREATMENT OF PRURITUS - A NEW INDICATION FOR SEROTONIN TYPE-3 RECEPTOR ANTAGONISTS

Generalized pruritus is a well-known, distressing symptom of various d iseases, especially in hepatic cholestasis and chronic renal insuffici ency. Its treatment is often unsatisfactory. In three patients with ge neralized pruritus, intravenous administration of the serotonin type 3 (5-HT3) receptor antagonist ondansetron induced a marked relief of it ching. The effect was most pronounced in a patient with cholestasis-as sociated pruritus. It is suggested that serotonin, acting via 5-HT3 re ceptors, is involved in the generation and/or sensation of pruritus. F urthermore, 5-HT3 receptor antagonists may be a novel therapeutic prin ciple for the treatment of pruritus.