Flumecinol for the treatment of pruritus associated with primary biliary cirrhosis.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To determine whether flumecinol (3-trifluoromethyl-alpha-ethylbenzhydrol, Zixoryn) is effective in ameliorating pruritus of cholestasis, particularly in primary bilary cirrhosis.

METHODS AND RESULTS:

50 patients (46 with primary biliary cirrhosis, PBC) took oral flumecinol 600 mg or identical placebo once weekly for 3 weeks. Patients assessed pruritus by scoring a daily 100 mm visual analogue scale (VAS; 0 = no itch, 100 = severe, continuous, day and night intolerable itch). Quality of life was similarly measured. Patients scored the VAS daily for a 7-day baseline and for a further 21 days. Subjectively, pruritus improved in 13 of 24 on flumecinol and 10 of 26 on placebo (chi 2 = 1.24, P = 0.27). Median difference in fall in VAS pruritus score between baseline week (mean score for each individual used) and the last week was 8.0 [95% confidence interval (CI) -2.1 to 20.8] and for VAS quality of life was 5.0 (95% Cl 0.4 to 13.0) both in favour of flumecinol over placebo. Later, 19 patients (all PBC) were randomised to flumecinol 300 mg or placebo daily for 3 weeks. Subjectively, pruritus improved in 7 of 10 on flumecinol and 1 of 9 on placebo (Fisher's exact test, P = 0.02). Median difference in fall in VAS pruritus score was 19.8 mm (95% CI 3.3 to 40.7 mm) in favour of flumecinol over placebo and for quality of life was 3.5 mm (95% Cl -5.9 to 24.9 mm). Flumecinol did not significantly affect liver function tests, antipyrine clearance or serum total bile acids, and was not associated with any significant side-effects.

CONCLUSION:

Flumecinol was safe at the above doses and short term treatment with 300 mg daily, significantly ameliorated pruritus in primary biliary cirrhosis.

• Authors: I B Turner, M D Rawlins, P Wood, O F James
• Journal: Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics (Aliment Pharmacol Ther) Vol. 8 Issue 3 Pg. 337-42 (Jun 1994) ISSN: 0269-2813 [Print] England
• PMID: 7918930 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Benzhydryl Compounds
• flumecinol

Topics

• Administration, Oral
• Benzhydryl Compounds (administration & dosage)
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Humans
• Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary (complications)
• Male
• Pruritus (complications, etiology, prevention & control)
• Quality of Life
• Severity of Illness Index