Linked Life Data

9500694

Source:http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/id/9500694

Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
3
pubmed:dateCreated
1998-3-19
pubmed:abstractText
The aims of this study were to determine whether long-term oral administration of the opiate antagonist nalmefene is associated with any beneficial effects in patients with pruritus secondary to cholestatic liver disease and to assess the safety of long-term administration of this drug to these patients. Fourteen patients with unrelieved chronic pruritus of cholestasis were studied. Scratching activity, independent of limb movements, was recorded continuously for 24-hour periods before and during treatment with an initial ameliorating dose of nalmefene. Simultaneously, during these periods, visual analogue scores (VASs) of pruritus were recorded every 4 hours while patients were awake. The dose of nalmefene, which initially was 2 mg orally twice daily, was increased during the study, usually until a satisfactory clinical response was achieved. Five patients experienced a transient opioid withdrawal-like reaction that did not preclude continuing with nalmefene therapy. Serum biochemical indices of cholestasis did not change appreciably during treatment. Thirteen patients reported amelioration of the perception of pruritus on nalmefene. In 5 patients, exacerbations of pruritus occurred approximately 4 weeks after an initial ameliorating dose had been reached; these exacerbations were managed by increasing the dose. Baseline mean values for VAS and scratching activity were higher than corresponding means during nalmefene therapy in 13 (P = .002) and 12 (P = .013) patients, respectively. Possible tolerance to nalmefene occurred in 3 patients. Three patients experienced marked exacerbation of pruritus after nalmefene therapy was suddenly discontinued. Blood levels of nalmefene were consistent with normal pharmacokinetics of the drug. These results suggest that nalmefene may have a favorable risk-to-benefit ratio when it is administered orally long-term to patients with the pruritus of cholestasis.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Mar
pubmed:issn
0270-9139
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
27
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
679-84
pubmed:dateRevised
2004-11-17
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1998
pubmed:articleTitle
Open-label trial of oral nalmefene therapy for the pruritus of cholestasis.
pubmed:affiliation
Liver Diseases Section, Digestive Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, MD, USA.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Clinical Trial