The use of naltrexone in the management of severe generalized pruritus in biliary atresia: report of a case.

Abstract

Generalized pruritus secondary to cholestasis is a difficult dermatologic condition to treat. We present a case of a 17-month-old child with congenital biliary atresia with generalized pruritus refractory to treatment with oral antihistamines, topical steroids, cholestyramine, and rifampin but improved remarkably with the addition of naltrexone. Naltrexone is a well-tolerated medication with little adverse effects. We believe that naltrexone may be an effective adjuvant treatment in the management of cholestatic pruritus in the pediatric population.

• Authors: Yuchi Chang, Linda Golkar
• Journal: Pediatric dermatology (Pediatr Dermatol) 2008 May-Jun Vol. 25 Issue 3 Pg. 403-4 ISSN: 1525-1470 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 18577062 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antipruritics
• Narcotic Antagonists
• Naltrexone

Topics

• Administration, Oral
• Antipruritics (therapeutic use)
• Biliary Atresia (complications)
• Cholestasis (etiology)
• Humans
• Infant
• Male
• Naltrexone (therapeutic use)
• Narcotic Antagonists (therapeutic use)
• Pruritus (drug therapy, etiology)
• Xanthomatosis (etiology, pathology)