Effects of Oral Drugs for Pruritis on Daily Life and Factors of Antipruritics that Patients Desire

—Results of Internet Questionnaire (4th Report)—

Abstract

Using an Internet questionnaire, we examined the effects of oral drugs for itching on daily life and clarified the factors related to antipruritic medication that satisfy patient expectations. Among adults receiving prescribed oral drugs, 32% complained of sleepiness and half of these patients indicated that sleepiness decreased their efficiency at work or caused unconsciousness. Patients with itching desired an antipruritic that could be taken once a day, had a low manifestation of sleepiness, strong anti-itch effect and was easy-to-take in daily life. However, our survey indicated that over 80% of both adults and children with pruritus did not know of any antipruritics with a low frequency of causing sleepiness. Moreover, approximately 40% of patients wanted a tablet that could be taken without water (for example, Reditabs), if such a tablet existed. Dermatologists should be aware these patient expectations regarding antipruritics and prescribe drugs to each patient according to the needs of their life style.Skin Research, 9: 282-290, 2010