Naltrexone and rifampin for itching

[Guest guest]

Thanks, as always, Doctor Aubrey, for the *understandable* analysis of the excellent article on "The Pruritus of Cholestasis," by Drs. and Bergasa that Tim R posted to the list.

That article also answered a question that I have had, and perhaps others, on the correlation of itching and severity of disease. This is what Dr. Bergasa wrote:

[There is a] lack of correlation betwen the severity of cholestasis and the apparent intensity with which pruritis is perceived by cholestatic patients, [including] a lack of this symptom in some patients with cholestasis. A spontaneous decrease in the intensity of pruritis does not necessarily imply a decrease in the severity of cholestasis and/or improvement of hepatocellular function. [Page 1, column 1]

Which, as a layman, I take to mean that there is no clear correlation between itching and severity of liver disease!

About RIFAMPIN, from page 2. column 2:

The rationale for most commonly used therapies appears to be to reduce the concentrations of putative pruritogens. Examples include the anion exchange resins, cholestryramine (Questran) and colestipol, and hepatic enzyme inducing drugs, such as rifampin, phenobarbital and flumecinol. [Page 2, column 2]

Thanks to both you gentlemen!

Kathie,

Mom of Rick, 17 years old, Crohn's since age 2; PSC diagnosed at age 15; March 2001; and ITCH-FREE for four days thanks to this list and learning about RIFAMPIN!