Abstract | BACKGROUND: METHODS: We enrolled in the trial 25 adult patients on haemodialysis who were asked to daily record the severity of their pruritus on a visual analogue scale. The patients were randomly assigned to receive gabapentin for 4 weeks followed by placebo for 4 weeks or the reverse sequence. Gabapentin or placebo were administered thrice weekly, at the end of haemodialysis sessions. RESULTS: The mean pruritus score of the cohort before the study was 8.4 +/- 0.94. After placebo intake, it decreased to 7.6 +/- 2.6 (P = 0.098). The score of four patients decreased by >50% following placebo. After gabapentin administration, the mean score decreased significantly, to 1.2 +/- 1.8 (P = 0.0001), although one patient's symptoms did not improve significantly. No patient dropped out of the study due to adverse effects from gabapentin. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that gabapentin is safe and effective for treating uraemic pruritus in haemodialysis patients. Our results also support the neuropathic hypothesis of uraemic pruritus.
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Authors | Ali Ihsan Gunal, Goksel Ozalp, Tahir Kurtulus Yoldas, Servin Yesil Gunal, Ercan Kirciman, Huseyin Celiker |
Journal | Nephrology, dialysis, transplantation : official publication of the European Dialysis and Transplant Association - European Renal Association
(Nephrol Dial Transplant)
Vol. 19
Issue 12
Pg. 3137-9
(Dec 2004)
ISSN: 0931-0509 [Print] England |
PMID | 15575002
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)
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Chemical References |
- Amines
- Analgesics
- Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids
- gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
- Gabapentin
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Topics |
- Amines
(therapeutic use)
- Analgesics
(therapeutic use)
- Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids
(therapeutic use)
- Female
- Gabapentin
- Humans
- Kidney Failure, Chronic
(complications, therapy)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Pruritus
(drug therapy, etiology)
- Renal Dialysis
(adverse effects)
- Uremia
(complications, therapy)
- gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
(therapeutic use)
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